The Observer, October 14, 2005
Volume XXXVIII, Issue 7
Sisters deliver Lady Spartans an OT win at NYU, 1-0
On a drenching, rainy afternoon, the Lady Spartans came home last Saturday with a victory against New York University by a 1-0 score. The team battled through less-than-ideal weather conditions for the win as senior keeper Lauren Gaeta posted her fourth shutout of the year. With the win, Case's record improved to 4-6-2 overall and 1-1 in UAA conference play.
Senior tandem Beth and Cara Stepanczuk were the story of the match, combining for the game-winner in the 97th minute. Beth launched a free kick to the head of Cara, who redirected it into the twine at the back of the net, past New York keeper Katilin Barnes. "I am able to read Beth's kicks better than anyone else's, so I had a good feeling when I lined up for her free kick," said sister Cara. "I didn't take my eyes off of the ball until it was in the net, and the next thing I looked at was Beth."
"That free kick was the play of our life!" added Beth, who earned her first assist of the season. "It was the most beautiful goal; we knew it was going to happen even before I kicked the ball. I waited until she was in position so that I could get eye contact with her, then aimed for her head. Cara dove at the ball and hit it so well the goalkeeper had no chance; she didn't even move."
The Lady Spartans won despite suffering a first half injury to sophomore defender Liz Altenau, who has a sprained right ankle and is doubtful to play this weekend. Head coach Emily Donovan was impressed by the side's effort.
"The team played hard and smart which is essential in such a sloppy game," she said.
The squad came into the match having lost to Brandeis the previous weekend, 2-0.
"The difference between [the matches against] NYU and Brandeis was that we controlled the field better. We were very physical and went hard into tackles," said Cara Stepanczuk. "In addition, we were connecting better offensively than ever before. We concentrated on both short passes in the middle and taking it down the outside lines. We were able to put together some beautiful offensive attacks, despite the raw weather."
The Lady Spartans' schedule continues this week with two more road matches. The Spartans travel to St. Louis today to avenge last season's overtime loss to the Washington University Bears (6-5-2, 0-2). The Bears are coming off a loss to Carnegie Mellon last Sunday.
"I'm looking forward to us going in kicking; the intensity was there against NYU and I'm looking forward to seeing it at Wash U. this weekend," stated junior midfielder Meredith Andrepont.
The Spartans finish their road schedule with a match against 17th ranked University of Chicago (7-2-1, 1-1) on Sunday afternoon before returning next Friday for a non-conference home match against Myers University.
"Next weekend is going to be a tough weekend for us," said Coach Donovan. "Wash U and Chicago have both gone to the NCAA tournament the last two years. We need to ride the confidence from this past weekend into next weekend."
That confidence was generated with two deft motions by two sisters on the same wavelength last Saturday, who will both look to continue to build upon their team's momentum.
