The women’s soccer team headed north Saturday to face an undefeated Middlebury squad. The Panthers showed they had earned every one of their victories in topping the Cardinals 3-0.
The score was somewhat deceptive, as all of the Middlebury goals came in the first half, while the now 1-5 (0-3 NESCAC) Cards dominated in the second 45 minutes. Middlebury (5-0, 3-0 NESCAC), however, out shot the Red and Black 29-9.
The Panthers came out with heavily fortified attack plans that left the Cards scrambling for position in their efforts to clear the ball out of their zone. Within four minutes of the contest’s commencement, Erin Oliver swept her way through the defensive zone to beat Kelly McFarling ’05, who did make 15 saves on the day. The score held at 1-0 until the 18 minute, when Brittany Cronin found daylight and lit the lamp to increase the Middlebury cushion to two. Cronin struck again 25 minutes into the first half. The Panthers were unable to score again in the half, as the Red and Black continued to hold off their scoring chances with increasing tenacity.
“We were on our heels most of the first half as they found holes in our 4-4-2 plan,” said defender Caitlin Herlihy ’06.
“They overwhelmed us with their ability to get into the box,” said Marcia Whitehead ’08.
The second half appeared to be the opposite of the first, as the Cardinals came out with renewed confidence and a new game plan. Taking a risk by adding an extra forward for a more attacking 3-4-3 scheme, Wesleyan sent Middlebury back toward their own end.
“The Middlebury girls were afraid of us,” said forward Makenna Goodman ’07. “They were yelling to each other trying to keep up.”
Even so, the Panther goaltending deflected numerous shots away to defend the lead. While it as clear that the Red and Black were outrunning the opposition to every ball and jumping higher at every opportunity, opportunities failed to turn into goals, and the Cards were unable to make up the deficit.
“Coach [Eva Bergsten-Meredith] changed the lineup at halftime, taking a big risk, but we had nothing to lose,” said co-captain Corinne Case ’05. “If we expect to beat teams like Middlebury, we have to play well the entire game, not just 45 minutes. It’s a good way to go into our next NESCAC game.”
“Halftime was key for us,” Whitehead said. “It gave us a much needed chance to regroup after the way they overpowered us in the first half.”
The Cards have terrific momentum heading into this weekend when they have a home game against Connecticut College (3-2, 1-2 NESCAC). They hope to improve upon last year’s contest in which the Camels dominated the second half en route to a 3-1 victory. Nevertheless, the Cardinals seem capable of beating anyone if they can play the way they always seem to play in second half for a full 90 minutes. As Goodman said, “We’re on our way to the big leagues.”
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