Women’s Soccer Tries for Fifth Win in a Row

In a battle for Northeastern supremacy, the Columbia women’s soccer team looks to collect its fifth win in a row this evening against the Stony Brook Seawolves.

The Lions, ranked sixth in the Northeast, have scored 10 goals in their last four games—all wins—to rebound from an 0-2 start.

Head coach Kevin McCarthy attributes the turn around to a stronger offense. He cited restart goals as one aspect of the Lions’ improved performance and made particular mention of the Lions’ depth, which has led to increased scoring. The Lions have been producing goals at a faster rate with senior Allison Leonard, sophomore Sophie Reiser, and freshman Chrissy Butler all tallying at least six points this season.

McCarthy characterized his team’s approach on the offensive end as aggressive and unrelenting. “We have an attacking mind-set,” McCarthy said. “Our mentality is to attack and the women expect us to go into each match with that mind-set.”

The surging Columbia offense faces a defense that is allowing only one goal per contest, prompting McCarthy to proclaim that his team may have to play its best game of the season to pick up the win.

The Seawolves, ranked 14th, are 3-2-1, but their offense has gone into hiding as of late, scoring only two goals in their last four games.

Their offensive struggles aren’t likely to end against a Columbia defense that has allowed one goal in its last four contests, thanks in large part to the goalkeeping tandem of senior Allison Vespa and junior Rebecca Taylor.

Vespa and Taylor have alternated starting in the last four games and McCarthy cited the depth at the goalie position as one of his team’s real strengths.

Vespa and Taylor are so good that it seems that McCarthy is spoiled for choice. It’s become a difficult decision for him to put forward a starter. The coach had high praise for both of his players.

“Quite frankly, all three of our goalkeepers, because of the level of their play and their fitness, deserve to play,” McCarthy said. Taylor’s play in stressful situations has been crucial to her successful start while McCarthy simply stated that Vespa has proven herself to be one of the best goalies in the nation.

McCarthy also said he had decided on a starter for today’s game but that the decision would remain within the team.

Action starts tonight at 7 p.m. at Columbia Soccer Stadium.