The Observer, October 6, 2006
Volume XXXIX, Issue 6
Taylor's goal helps Spartan earn tie at Brandeis
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Last Saturday, the Lady Spartan soccer team traveled to Boston for its first taste of UAA action. Through regulation and two overtimes, neither team could budge the score past the 1-1 mark set late in the second half. Sophomore goalie Kirsten McClain racked up 13 saves on the day, preventing a shot-happy Brandeis team from pulling ahead.
The goal came from senior Amber Taylor off a slot from freshman Katie Fromwiller. "Froms set it up, I was the lucky one who got to be there. It felt good," Taylor said.
The assist was a usual occurrence from Fromwiller, who now leads the team in assists, with four.
It was a tough game for the Spartan defense, but it handled the Brandeis attacks. The back four were able to shut down one of the top goal scorers in the league, pleasing Coach Emily Donovan.
"Defensively we were able to shut down their goal opportunities," Donovan said. "And ultimately, going on the road in the UAA and coming away with a tie isn't a huge disappointment."
Ties can be frustrating, especially for this team, which is defensively so strong but often finds it difficult to finish scores up top. Finishing will be one area the Spartans look to improve upon as the season progresses.
In a home contest on Tuesday, the Spartans fell 1-0 to Allegheny with a shot off a corner kick in the 62nd minute. It was certainly an upsetting loss for the ladies in a game where everything else seemed to come together. They were able to hold a strong shape throughout and shift the field as a team. Quick decisions out of the back allowed the forwards to get creative up top and get off nearly double the shots of their opponent.
The Spartans are now 3-7-1 on the season and looking forward to league play for chances to improve their record. The ladies face off against NYU this Sunday at 11 a.m. Coach Donovan is optimistic about her team's chances in that game
"We beat NYU on the road last year," she said. "Being at home should give us a boost."
