All it took was one lapse and 81 minutes of tough defense was erased in Tuesday’s women’s soccer game between No. 8 Washington University and Illinois Wesleyan University. With under nine minutes to go, a mad scramble ensued in front of Wash. U.’s goal.

A mix of white uniformed Wash. U. defenders and green topped Illinois Wesleyan attackers clashed. In the fray, IWU’s Tori Samson passed the ball to teammate Emily Hinchman for the game winner at 81:22. The shot flew to the far left corner underneath a leaping Wash. U. freshman goalkeeper Clara Jacques.

Games are historically tight between the two opponents with all 11 meetings settled on a one goal or less differential. Tuesday’s match was particularly rough with the Bears committing 10 fouls compared to three from the Titans. “We knew we had a challenging schedule ahead of us,” Head Coach Jim Conlon said.

“We just have to become cleaner in how we play.” Jacques made one save in her first collegiate career start although Illinois Wesleyan had 7 shots in total.”Clara, our freshman goalkeeper, really stepped it up,” tri-captain senior Libby Held said. “She had a lot of confidence back there being in her first college match.”

The Bears defense helped Jacques through the game preventing several good shots on the goal. The Red and Green showed tenacity and determination throughout the game. In two instances, Wash. U. players collided with each other with such force that a stoppage in play was made.

In each instance, the players would get back up and insist on playing on. “We just have to work through it, get used to actually being in the game with each other with the team we have this year,” sophomore Emma Brown said. “We’ll get it together.”

Wash. U.’s offense stepped their game up in the second half. Though they created several chances outshooting Illinois Wesleyan 8-4, they were unable to convert any of the four shots on goal. The Bears also had a 7-0 advantage in the second half.

Throughout the game, Wash. U. opportunities were cut short by good goalkeeping or an inch of metal. At the 26:02 mark, Held launched a penalty kick from 50 yards out. The clang from where the ball hit the crossbar could be heard in the stands as the ball soared back into play.

In the second half, senior Caryn Rosoff launched a shot towards the top right corner but IWU’s Alli Novak snagged the ball in mid air. This is the first season opening loss for Wash. U. since a 2006 defeat to DePauw University. In that season, the Bears advanced to the NCAA Sectionals. The Red and Green have been scoreless in their last three games dating to the NCAA Tournament last season.

“We just need to put it together better as a team, possess the ball more and score some goals”, Held said.

Wash. U. hits the road this weekend where the opponents get tougher. The Bears face No. 6 John Hopkins University on Saturday and No. 4 William Smith College on Sunday. Held, who has never played against her sister, gets that opportunity versus John Hopkins.

“It’s going to be a grudge match,” Held said. “We’re going for bragging rights. We want to win because we’re the better team.”

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Tags: loss, titans, Women's Soccer

This entry was posted on Sunday, September 6th, 2009 at 12:32 pm and is filed under Sports, Women's Soccer. You can follow any responses to this entry through this feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.