Bernell DorroughThe members of the Washington University women’s soccer team found themselves in a unique position as they prepared for their weekend match-up with conference rival Emory.
Finally gaining recognition for their impressive ten-game unbeaten streak, the Bears found themselves on the verge of a national ranking. With a win over the tenth-ranked Emory Eagles, the team could virtually assure itself of a top-25 spot.
Although the Bears outshot Emory 5-3 in the first half, the Eagles controlled most of the game play. Their first-half dominance would culminate in a 22nd-minute strike by Emory midfielder Jessie Dean. The Eagles held onto their 1-0 lead for the remainder of the game, handing the Bears their first loss since falling to Wheaton College in their season opener.
The bright spot for the Bears was once again their defense. After allowing three shots in the first half, the defensive unit held Emory without a shot during the entire second half. This defensive pressure, combined with a revved-up offense, allowed the Bears to mount a comeback attempt in the second half. Firing in nine shots in the second period, the Bears failed to convert on any scoring opportunities.
The Bears’ second-half resurgence can be attributed to the offensive spark created by the team’s substitutes. Freshmen Maila Labadie and Jenny Southworth, in addition to sophomore Megan Morley, accounted for seven of the team’s 14 shots.
Although they couldn’t come back from the first-half deficit, the Bears showed in the second half that they can be competitive against anyone. With both losses on the year coming away from home against highly-ranked opponents, the Bears know that they’re fully capable of rattling off wins against top-tier teams.
The Bears will face a considerably easier task next weekend when they travel east to take on 6-6 New York University. However, two days later the team will take on 13th-ranked Brandeis University, which currently sports a shiny 10-1 record. If the Bears can come away from this road trip with two wins under their belt, they should be sitting pretty near the top of the University Athletic Association standings.
Coach Wendy Dillinger and her squad will once again need to rely on a stiff defensive strategy against Brandeis. Having outscored their opponents 36-10 on the year and averaging 3.25 goals per game, Brandeis should prove to be one of the most explosive offenses that the Bears have faced.