Margaret BauerThe primary concern surrounding the Washington University men’s soccer team for the past several seasons has been the lack of a potent offense to complement a stingy defense. While the Bears boast a roster of immensely talented players, they simply have lacked the firepower to contend for the University Athletic Association (UAA) championship. But if the Bears’ performance this past Wednesday against Principia College is any indicator, their problems could be over.
Starting the striking duo of junior Rob Weeks and freshman Onyi Okoroafor against Principia, coach Joe Clarke gave the Bears a new look up top. After a stellar freshman season that saw him tally seven goals and three assists, good enough for first team all-UAA honors, Weeks is back in the line-up after seeing minimal time last season. An opportunistic striker that rarely misses from close-range, Weeks also poses a huge aerial threat on crosses. Okoroafor enters this season after a successful prep career in Georgia. Since he is both so strong and quick, dispossessing Okoroafor should prove to be a dubious task for opposing defenders over the next four years.
The Bears offense wasted no time getting on the scoreboard against Principia as Weeks deflected a cross from senior defender Andrew Dennis past the goalie in the 20th minute. At the halftime break, the Bears enjoyed a slight 1-0 cushion and appeared to be dominating the match. Holding an 11-1 advantage on shots, Clarke’s squad looked very solid on both ends of the field.
Shortly after the break, the Bears doubled their lead after Okoroafor jammed home a loose ball in front of the Principia goal. Junior midfielder Andrew Franklin whipped in a cross from the right flank to set up the Bears’ second strike. Franklin, who has played forward for the majority of his career, tried outside midfielder for the first time against Principia. The team’s fastest player, Franklin used his tireless work ethic to wear down his defenders and create several chances for the Bears.
Fellow junior midfielder Sam Jacobs entered the game as a substitute after 15 minutes and provided his teammates with a similar boost, which would eventually help lead to the first goal. Jacobs replaced senior Josh Farber, who suffered a second-degree ankle sprain in the game’s opening minutes. Farber is expected to miss up to two games.
But while it was the Bears’ offense that dominated the box score, the team’s defense played the game with its usual tough demeanor. The four backline starters allowed Principia to get off only three shots, while senior goalkeeper Colin Robinson tallied a shutout, giving him 7.5 for his career. Particularly notable was the play of Dennis, who in addition to pestering a frustrated Principia offense all game also provided an offensive spark on the wing, assisting on the Bears’ first goal. Seniors Matt Twardowski and Jeff LaBoskey, in addition to junior standout John Horky, also anchored the Bears at the back.
With one win under their belt, the Bears traveled to San Francisco, Calif. on Thursday to start what should prove to be a tough two-game road trip. On Friday, Clarke’s team will take on California State University at Hayward, a Division II opponent that finished last season with a 4-11-2 record. After a day off on Saturday, Bears will wrap up their west coast tour with a match-up against the University of California – Santa Cruz (UCSC). The Bears should have their hands full with a UCSC team that finished last season ranked fifth nationally with a 21-2 record. Nonetheless, if they can stay sharp offensively, the Bears and their new forward tandem should be able to cause some problems for opponents in California.