Women’s Soccer Loses 1-0

By SAMANTHA DANIEL

The University of Mary Washington women’s soccer team fell to Salisbury University 1-0 on Saturday, Oct. 3. The loss dropped the Lady Eagles to 6-3-1 on the season and 1-2 in conference play. The two rivals battled until the bitter end, but the Eagles couldn’t overcome a stout Sea Gulls defense to score a goal and force overtime.

Salisbury junior midfielder Katie McMahon scored the game’s lone goal in the 34th minute. The unassisted strike gave the Sea Gulls a lead that they would not relinquish.

Salisbury controlled the ball and kept up a fierce offensive attack, outshooting UMW in each half and 16-8 overall. The Eagles offensive opportunities decreased as the game went on, as their shots on goal decreased in the second half, and they didn’t get a single corner kick chance after intermission.

Eagles junior goalie Tina Brehm saved eight out of the 16 shots on goal while Salisbury sophomore goalie Melissa Orgera managed to save three of eight shots.

“Tina’s been very dependable in goal,” senior captain Chrissy Reardon said. “We are very grateful to have her back there.”

Brehm has proved to be a valuable commodity for the Eagles, saving 38 shots on goal while only allowing ten goals total for the season.

The loss was nevertheless disappointing for the Eagles. UMW handed Salisbury an upsetting defeat in the 2009 CAC tournament and had hoped to make it two wins in a row. The Eagles are hopeful to bounce back from the loss and enter their next game renewed and reenergized.

“We don’t have another in-conference game for two weeks, so we definitely have time to turn things around,” senior Sarah Tryon said. “There are only minor things to tweak, and once we change them, we should be a hard team to beat.”

The field hockey team will continue to work on communication and fitness in the weeks leading up to their next conference game. Communication has been focal point for the Eagles, as they have been working hard in the past few weeks to progress in that area.

“As far as communication is concerned, it can always be improved.” Tryon said.

The women’s soccer team was victorious last night, Oct. 6, over North Carolina Wesleyan College, 5-1. Five different Eagles scored in the game. The team’s next game will be a road bout on Saturday, Oct. 9, against Haverford College at 1 p.m. Their next home game will be the following Saturday, Oct. 16, against York College of Pennsylvania at 1 p.m.