Over the past week the women’s soccer split a pair of games, defeating Rhode Island College last Tuesday at home, but falling to Amherst this weekend on the road.
Rhode Island College came into the game posting a fine 9-3 record, but Wesleyan was about to make the game get real. Rhode Island struck first, scoring seventeen minutes into the game and as the first half ended, the Cardinals remained a goal down.
As the second half winded down, the offense started to erupt as Danielle Crystal ’07 scored off an assist from tri-captain Sarah Hopkins ’06 with only nine minutes left in regulation. Just a few minutes into overtime, the Cardinals scored their game-winning goal as Laura Ogden ’07 scored off a corner kick from Becca Morrell ’06. The kick was headed to right in front of the net by Elena Bertocci ’09 to Ogden who was able to find and opening and score her first goal of the season.
Coming off its second win of the year, Wesleyan headed to Amherst for a crucial NESCAC contest. Amherst struck first, just twenty-six seconds into the game, and the Cardinals found themselves in an early 1-0 hole. But the Wesleyan offense turned up the heat in the first half, out shooting Amherst 7-5, including a goal by Hopkins, assisted by fellow tri-captain Natalie Cohen ’06. Down 2-1 at halftime, the offense needed to keep the pressure on the Lord Jeffs.
But in the second-half, Amherst added two goals leading to a 4-1 win. Despite the loss and Amherst’s tough defense, the Wesleyan offense launched ten shots including three by Crystal and Laura Fine ’08.
With only two games remaining, Wesleyan will need to win both against Tufts on Wednesday and Bowdoin next Saturday in Maine to gain a shot to play in the NESCAC Tournament. Win or lose, the future looks bright for the team, as the senior leaders have inspired their enthusiastic freshman crew to bring their best spirit to every practice and game both now and for years to come.
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