Bernell DorroughThe Washington University women’s soccer team isn’t used to coming from behind. Ever since losing 5-0 to second-ranked Wheaton College in their season opener, the Bears hadn’t trailed all season before going down 1-0 to Illinois Wesleyan University.
As the Bears found themselves in this highly uncharacteristic position last Wednesday, a pessimistic fan might have expected them to give up hope. However, the Bears showed doubters that they can still perform in high-pressure situations as freshman scoring sensation Meghan Marie Fowler-Finn converted a cross from junior midfielder Kara Karnes with only two minutes remaining.
Fowler-Finn, who is quickly becoming accustomed to late-game heroics, also headed in the game-winning goal in Sunday’s 2-1 win against McKendree College. The 85th minute goal came off of a Lindsey Ulkus cross. Also scoring for the Bears was freshman Sara Schroeder, who netted her first collegiate goal in the fifth minute.
While it has become a regular occurrence for Fowler-Finn, who has already fired in 39 shots this season, and Karnes to fill up the scoring sheet for the Bears, commonly overlooked are those players who don’t impact the box score.
It may have been widely noted that since the loss at Wheaton the Bears defense has only given up two goals. However, without scoring statistics to accompany such strong defensive play, the team’s defensive anchors remain largely anonymous.
Take Meg Lag for example. As a freshman, Lag was one of the team’s three all-conference selections as a starting central defender. Lag, who is considered by coach Wendy Dillinger to be the team’s defensive anchor, may not have any offensive statistics, but certainly punishes opposing attackers on a regular basis.
Complementing Lag at center back is junior Steph Ackerman, whom Dillinger also recognizes as strong defensive presence. A regular part of the Bears line-up, Ackerman has started all six games for which she has been healthy.
Rounding out the Bears back line at outside defender are four other players: seniors Christine Vavra and Lauren Bennett, sophomore Carrie Biederstadt, and freshman Megan Bowen. While Vavra has started every game this season and Bowen has been used as a spark off the bench, Bennett and Biederstadt generally split starts.
“[These players] not only mark the opposition’s attackers out of the game,” said Dillinger, “but they are where we generate the start of our offense.”
Playing right in front of the back four in the defensive midfield are freshmen Talia Bucci and Jenny Southworth. The Bears have had considerable success using Bucci in a starting role and utilizing Southworth’s skills as a substitute.
“[They] are our ball winners at defensive mid,” said Dillinger. “They keep play from coming through the middle of the field and also have great vision and distribution.”
Dillinger is also quick to praise her senior captains Lindsay Farrer and Megan Drews. While Farrer and Drews may not always get called on to start, their coach recognizes how valuable they are to the squad.
“Lindsay Farrer and Megan Drews bring a spark to us when they are on the field,” said Dillinger. “The raise the level every time they step foot on the field. Their leadership is irreplaceable.”
“We are extremely deep at every position,” added Dillinger. “Every player on our roster makes us stronger. We have a very unique situation; we are stacked with talent. Every one of our players has the ability to start for us which makes my decisions difficult at times. That’s a good situation to be in from my perspective.”