The women’s soccer team’s season ended Saturday at the hands of the Bowdoin Polar Bears (7-6-2). The 4-2 loss dropped the Cards’ to 5-8-1, their most successful mark since 1997.
The Cards and Polar Bears entered the game in eighth and seventh places in the NESCAC, respectively. Wesleyan needed a win to reach their season long goal, a spot in the NESCAC tournament.
Due to heavy rains, the game was moved to the new synthetic playing surface on Smith Field. The Cards jumped out to an early lead when defender Beth Kenworthy ’10 notched her first career goal on a blast from forty yards out. The shot took a large bounce off the artificial surface, fooling Bowdoin goalkeeper Kat Popoff, who could only watch as the ball sailed over her head.
Bowdoin tied the score eight minutes later on a goal by midfielder Kit Hamley. The Polar Bears took the lead just before halftime when forward Ivy Blackmore scored the first of her two goals. She added her second, the eventual game winner, four and a half minutes into the second half.
The game was a match-up of contrasting styles. The Cards rely on a strong defensive scheme, while the Polar Bears offense scored 25 goals in their last five regular season games. The Bowdoin offense took better advantage of their opportunities and earned the victory despite being out-shot by the Cards.
The Cards never gave in, however, and three seniors combined for the final goal of the season. Co-captain Danielle Crystal ’07 took a pass from Jaime Wendel ’07 and fed the ball to fellow co-Captain Laura Ogden ’07, who scored for her second goal of the season.
“I think our team played really well, it was the closest we have ever come to making it to the NESCACs. I really am pleased with everyone’s playing and enthusiasm, unfortunately we were just unlucky. I expect great things from our team next year, and I’m looking forward to hearing about all of their success in the future,” Crystal said.
With just four seniors on this season’s roster, the Cards will return a solid core next season. All four starters on defense will return, including Sarah Orkin ’09 and Kenworthy. Taylor Stevenson ’10, Marissa Trevisan ’09, and Sam Blank ’09 will all return in the midfield, while Nicole Gray ’08 will be back up top.
Behind the defense, Gavi Elkind ’09 should return to the starting spot in goal next season. Since taking over the starting job midway through the season, Elkind racked up 49 saves for a 0.891 save percentage and a 0.89 goals against average.
The program has taken great strides during the senior class’ four seasons, improving from a 2-12 record in 2003 to this year’s run at the NESCAC playoffs. The departure of Crystal, Ogden, Wendel, and Delia Mueller ’06 will leave a large hole for the team to fill, but with the experience earned this season, the squad should return next fall ready to take another step forward.
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