Coming off a big overtime win last Saturday against Bentley, the Le Moyne women’s soccer team fell twice this week to strong Northeast 10 opponents. On Wednesday, the women’s squad faced off against The College of Saint Rose in the Upstate Challenge, losing 2-0 at home and would go scoreless again on Saturday as they took on Stonehill College that would end in a 1-0 loss for the ‘Phins.
The stands of Ted Grant Field were packed with fans, students and athletes on Wednesday, all looking to cheer on the lady dolphins as they took on the second ranked Saint Rose in the Upstate Challenge, a rivalry series created between the Dolphins and the Saints in which both schools match up across 14 sports. In the women’s soccer Upstate Challenge game, both teams played just over 71 minutes before Saint Rose’s Kristin Carr laid one in the back of the net.
Rachel Terry, the Phins leading scoring so far this season, said the Saints’ agressiveness was what made the difference in the game.
“It was frustrating to play while trying to win the ball in the air,” Terry said. “The Saint Rose players were big and athletic which made it difficult to push them off the ball.”
The ‘Phins only put five shots in the book compared to the Saints’ 15. The Saint Rose women also scored once more in the final two minutes of the game, coming from Amanda Vasquez.
Despite an aggressive offensive battle by the Saints, starting goalie Kayla Werthmann made three saves between the pipes for the day.
The Le Moyne women come out again on Saturday, Sept. 28 looking to shake off the loss at Stonehill College, but struggled to maintain the ball offensively once again. The Phins shot twice compared to Stonehill’s 20, with seven of their shots being on goal.
Terry, who had to take a place on the sideline for the remainder of the game after colliding with teammate, Kelly Ristoff, said playing on the Skyhawk’s grass field made it difficult to get their offense in gear since it was their first time playing on grass this year. Ristoff and Terry, both the team’s leading forwards, did not return to the game in the second half due to their injuries.
Kayla Werthmann had a fantastic game, making a career-high six saves for the Phins; but could not stop the Skyhawk’s Megan Sullivan as she laid one in the back of the net late into the first half. The Skyhawks then recorded the win on their home field, ending the game 1-0.
The Le Moyne women’s soccer team now moves to 3-3 and 1-2 in conference play and will look for redemption against The University of New Haven on the road Tuesday September 22.
“We’re not losing another game,” Terry said, “All our mindsets are the same and we know we have a good team. We’re all on the same page and we know we have the potential to go far this season.”
