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The Washington University women’s soccer team, ranked 11th in Division III, continued its recent streak of domination against No. 10 Rhodes College in a 1-0 win. The win is the team’s sixth straight and the eighth straight win at home this season, keeping the Red and Green undefeated at Francis field. With the victory over Rhodes, Wash. U. improves to 12-2-1 (4-0-0 UAA).
“I thought that it was a really big game for us. They were ranked right above us…we played hard and physical…I thought we really outplayed them,” junior forward Caryn Rosoff said.
Rosoff scored the only goal of the game in the opening minutes of the first half. The goal was her team-leading sixth of the year. Only 30 seconds into the game, Rosoff blasted a shot that was deflected by the opposing goalie. Rosoff gathered her own rebound and found the back of the net.
“All I remember is that it was soon after the game started. I shot once, the goalie saved it. I got the rebound and I put it in the second time,” Rosoff said.
Wash. U. outshot Rhodes 19-11, though each team put six shots on goal. Senior goalkeeper Amanda Boe made five saves, and a deflection by team off of a header stopped the sixth shot.
The bigger theme in the game, however, was the ability of the Bears to hold on to the lead for the entire game.
Coming into the game, the Red and Green had not been playing physically. In addition, the forwards that Rhodes played were all six feet or taller.
Playing faster, stronger and more consistently, Wash. U.’s defense and midfield cut in front of passes, anticipated moves and did not allow the opponents to generate any sort of offensive rhythm.
“Our defense played fantastic. The scouting report on the other team said that they were all six feet tall. We didn’t know what to expect, but we just shut them down. We barely let them touch the ball…we dominated. We played a lot faster than usual,” junior back Cassie Scaman said.
The play of junior midfielder Carter Schwarberg helped the defense secure the win. Schwarberg patrolled the midfield and greatly limited the touches that the other team received, winning the loose and contestable balls.
“We knew that to do well in the game, we needed to take control of the middle, and that’s what we did, and it worked well,” Schawarberg said.
The team returns to UAA play on the road at the University of Rochester on Friday and then at Case Western Reserve University on Sunday. Wash. U. holds a one-game lead over Emory University in the conference standings.
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