Women's Soccer Continues to Slide

The women's soccer team played well for long stretches this weekend, but missed scoring opportunities, and brief defensive lapses prevented them from adding to their win total. After a scoreless draw with American University on Friday night, the Lions fell 3-1 to an undefeated Navy squad on Sunday.

The women opened play Friday night in wet conditions in Washington, D.C. The first half saw little offensive action as the teams struggled with the conditions; the Lions had the only shot on goal of the half. More offensive action occurred in the second half, when the Lions fired four shots on goal and nearly broke the tie. Senior Aubrey Medal corralled a cross that slipped from American goalkeeper Alison Doyle's hands and shot toward an open net. But a last-second block by an Eagle defender kept the game scoreless.

The Lions managed three more shots on goal in the two 10-minute overtimes but were unable to beat Doyle.

On the other side of the ball, the defense limited the Eagles to just eight shots in 110 minutes. Only three of those shots made it through to junior goalkeeper Allison Vespa, who stopped them all for the clean sheet.

The Lions came out impressively on Sunday against Navy, firing four shots on goal in the first 20 minutes and shutting down a high-powered Navy offense. Sophomore Jenny Brandt broke through in the 40th minute with her second goal of the season to give the Lions a 1-0 lead. The Lions carried this lead through halftime and did not allow a shot on goal until the 68th minute.

However, the defense was unable to hold the Midshipmen at bay after that first shot on goal. Navy's Meggie Curran tied the match in the 72nd minute, and Cassie Barbaresi followed with the winning goal in the 75th. Navy added one more goal in the 87th minute to get their margin of victory.

With the draw and defeat this weekend, the Lions are now 0-3-1 in their last four matches, a sharp turnaround from their 2-0-1 start. They will look to get back in the win column next weekend against a pair of upstate New York teams. Cornell will visit Baker Field on Friday night to open the Ivy League season, and Colgate will follow on Sunday.