The Observer, October 21, 2005
Volume XXXVIII, Issue 8
Lady Spartans concede road games to Chicago, Wash U
The Lady Spartans embarked on a long road trip last weekend, leaving Cleveland Thursday night for a match Friday against Washington (St. Louis) before traveling to the University of Chicago Sunday afternoon. Returning home, they found themselves owners of two tough road losses that drop their season record to 4-8-2 (1-3 conference). The Spartans fell by a 3-1 final to Washington (6-5-3, 1-3) and lost to Chicago 3-0 (9-2-3, 2-1-1).
"We knew this past weekend would be a challenge," said head coach Emily Donovan. "Wash U and Chicago is a tough double game trip for any team. Not having Liz [Altenau] on Friday was tough and our defense (all-over-the-field) was unorganized."
The Spartans were out-shot in the first half 5-2, with the team playing from behind after Washington opened the match with a goal at the 1:19 mark by Bears junior Meghan Marie Fowler-Finn. Freshman LeAnne Nguyen posted a goal of her own in the 22nd minute, and Finn capped the first half scoring with her second goal of the game and sixth of the year, making it 3-0 at the half. Spartan freshman Kirsten McClain scored in the 90th minute, her first collegiate goal, assisted by junior midfielder Meredith Andrepont, leaving the score final at 3-1.
The Bears had been coming off a rough stretch of play that had seen them lose consecutive matches to Emory and Carnegie Mellon, but the Spartans were unable to push the streak to three.
"Wash. U was one step quicker than we were for most of the game," said senior captain Beth Stepanczuk. "When we brought our intensity up a notch, we created scoring chances like the goal in the final minute of play."
On Sunday, the Lady Spartans hung tough with the nationally ranked Chicago squad, going into half down 1-0 after a goal by Renee Neuner in the 33rd minute. Neuner, who leads the UAA with 11 goals on the season, opened the second half scoring as well. She put a shot past Case senior keeper Lauren Gaeta, and the Spartans were unable to respond, getting out-shot 10-3 in the match. Maroons senior keeper Andrea Przybysz made two saves and posted her sixth shutout of the season. The win extended Chicago's home unbeaten streak to 16 games (13-0-3).
Coach Donovan does not necessarily agree though that such difficult road conditions were responsible for the loss.
"Even though Chicago had more opportunities, I did not feel that they controlled the game," said Coach Donovan. "We were able to mount an attack and have several good opportunities."
Their keeper made an amazing save on a shot from Katie Duracky, and Amber Taylor had a shot go just wide after the keeper came out for the ball. Overall, though, the team played well, but a team like Chicago will take advantage of any opportunity given to them.
"I felt better about the 3-0 Chicago loss than the 3-1 Wash U loss. We played better as team," Donovan said.
The Case squad will look to play better as a team tonight in a non-conference match-up with Myers University. The match kicks off at the Village at 6 p.m. Myers University is in its first year of fielding a varsity squad, so look for an interesting match.
The Case team will continue its UAA schedule with a home match against rival Carnegie Mellon (9-1-2, 3-1) next Friday, Oct. 28. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
