Women’s soccer clinches playoff spot for first time ever

The women’s soccer team achieved a milestone on Sunday, clinching a spot in the NESCAC tournament for the first time in team history. Despite dropping Sunday’s tightly contested overtime battle with Bates, 2-1, the Cardinals are poised to make a run for the championship in their first conference playoff.

Sunday’s game with Bates was a showcase of offense, as both teams combined for 53 shots (25 by Wesleyan). It would have been sweeter to clinch the playoff berth with a win, but either way it is the start of a new season for the Cardinals, as they will enter the NESCAC tournament as either the seventh or eighth seed.

Forward Yuri Hoshino ’09 scored her second goal of the season to tie the score at one and send the game into extra time, during which the Bobcats scored after 41 seconds. Hoshino is one of eight seniors on the squad, who, Sarah Orkin ’09 reflected, have been a cohesive group for the past four years.

“[We] have worked so hard and seen this program change so drastically over the course of our four years at Wes,” Orkin said. “The eight of us have made it through some pretty ugly times out of the field, and we are all gearing up for battle in our next two games.”

The women entered Saturday’s game at Bates knowing that a win or a tie would qualify them for the conference tournament. Down a goal in the second half, Hoshino’s unassisted goal in the 52nd minute tied the contest. In spite of the overtime loss, however, the outcomes of other conference matches rewarded Wesleyan’s perseverance with a playoff spot.

It is this relentlessness that Hoshino says will be most crucial in the playoffs.

“It is important for each member of our team to stay focused as we enter the NESCAC tournament,” she said. “This is a huge opportunity for us. It doesn’t matter what happened on Sunday or in any other game this year, every team has a chance to win it all.”

For a team that won only three NESCAC games from 2000 to 2005, the chance to play in the postseason is momentous. For the past three seasons, Wesleyan has been at the cusp of the playoffs, coming in 8th twice and 9th once, barely missing the cut. NESCAC opened up championship play to an extra team this fall, with eight of the 11 schools in the conference qualifying, forcing the number one seed to play in the quarterfinals instead of earning a first round bye.

The success of this year’s team can be largely accredited to veteran presence combined with rookie talent. Six freshmen have made a huge impact on the team both offensively and defensively, earning playing time all over the field. The returning players, including the eight seniors, have provided vital experience and guidance for the younger players.

“We have a fabulous group of girls this year and we genuinely enjoy playing together,” said tri-captain Gavi Elkind ’09. “This season has definitely been a learning and growing experience for us as a team, and I know that we’re very proud of the progress we’ve made.”

The team will be competing this Sunday in the playoffs after one more regular season game against Connecticut College today at home. The Cards, who are currently on a four-game slide, are looking to end the season on a high note as they prepare for the postseason.