Wesleyan’s losing streak continued on Saturday, losing 2-1 in double overtime at Connecticut College. The painful defeat came on the heels of a 1-0 loss at Western Connecticut State University, bringing the streak to a total of five games in a row.
The team had plenty to be optimistic about on the beautiful Saturday in New London, scoring in the 32nd minute. The goal came from Kylie Eyre ’08, her career first. The assist came from Beth Kenworthy ’10 from down the left side, leaving Eyre all alone with only the keeper to beat. Eyre put it away to take the lead in the game. Going into halftime, the Cardinals had secured a 1-0 lead.
For the first time this season, Gavi Elkind ’09 came out to play in the second half. Elkind and Andrea Giuliano ’09 have been splitting games in net, and both keepers have played well. Elkind has a .885 save percentage and 23 saves on the season; Giuliano has a .800 save percentage with 24 saves. Elkind stayed in until the 63rd minute, leaving the game with five saves.
Unfortunately for the Cardinals, the game turned in the last minutes of the second half, as Connecticut College capitalized on a loose ball in the Wesleyan defensive end. The unassisted goal beat Giuliano from about 20 yards out, knotting the game at 1. It was a costly loose ball to lose, sending the game into overtime.
Both teams were tired after playing over 100 minutes of soccer, but it was Connecticut College that found a way to pull out another goal. A lead pass up the sideline left a Camel forward one-on-one with Giuliano and snuck it past her for the game winner.
It was the second overtime game Wesleyan has played this year: the Cardinals dropped an overtime loss to Smith College last week.
The Cardinals have struggled to execute on offense during this slump. They are averaging just under one goal per game. Frustrating for the team is that the offense is creating opportunities, producing on average 14.3 shots per game compared to their opponents’ 12.4 shots per game. The Cardinals will need to improve their .590 shots-on-goal percentage to finish on their scoring chances.
“Cardinals fly together, even in stormy weather,” Marissa Trevisan ’09 said of her team’s resiliency. “We won’t lose our feathers because we’re in this together.”
Wesleyan slipped to 1-6 overall and 0-4 in the NESCAC on the season. The team is at home this week with games against Rhode Island and Colby College.
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