The Observer, September 26, 2008
Volume XLI, Issue 5
Women's soccer beats Wooster for first time in five years
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Last Wednesday, in an electrifying 2-1 win over the College of Wooster, Case women's soccer accomplished a difficult feat by beating the Scots for the first time in over five years. The game was destined to be competitive and intense; the Spartans were coming into the match 4-1 while the Scots had a record of 6-0, and were hoping for a win to begin their first 7-0 start in program history. Needless to say, the Spartans did not let that happen.
Coach Tiff Crooks said she is "really proud of the intensity and passion with which the girls played." Crooks began her coaching career as an assistant at Wooster, so this win had an extra underlying significance for her. The first half progressed with many opportunities for Case as the Spartans capitalized off of corner kicks and crosses to challenge Wooster keeper Alix Hoffman. Hoffman made excruciatingly close saves as the Spartan attack charged on, but at the 24:12 mark of the first half, freshman Kristina Vaci scored off of a corner kick to make the score 1-0. It looked as if the Spartans would score quickly again after a shot by Ana Arruda, but Hoffman made a last-minute diving save. The first half ended 1-0, Spartans. In the second half, Wooster worked to tie up the game and succeeded when Kate Kiley put the ball in the lower right 90. The Spartans fought hard as the game wore on, and their hard work paid off. About 75 minutes into the game, junior captain Jen Soo Hoo took a free kick that led to a mad scramble inside the box. Arruda was able to get to the ball amidst the chaos and finished the goal beautifully off of a header, making the score 2-1. Case's defense held out strongly throughout the game, stifling the Wooster attack and providing backbone support for the Spartan midfield. Senior keeper Kirsten McClain had four saves while freshman goalie Anna Kennedy had three. Overall, the game was fiercely competitive and exciting, and the end result bodes well for Case women's soccer – defeating Wooster means beating a team regularly ranked among the top 10 in the NCAA Div. III Great Lakes Region. "It was a fun game to play," said sophomore midfielder Cecelia Fusco, "We deserved the win."
Three days later, the Spartans took on Mount Union College in Alliance, Ohio. After being on the road for the past four games and after playing just three days earlier, the Spartans fell in a 3-2 loss to Mount Union's Purple Raiders. The first goal was scored by Soo Hoo after senior Caitlin Miller played a ball over the Purple Raiders' offside trap. Soo Hoo ran onto the ball for a one-on-one situation with the keeper and finished with a breakaway goal. However, just three minutes later, Alyssa Flitcraft shot a ball into the back of the net from 12 yards out. The Spartans fought to recover the lead, but Mount Union scored again, this time Kelly Aughinbaug from outside of the 18. In the second half, the Spartans continued to fight. At the 78:51 mark, Mount Union's Deidre Dick received a yellow card and Amy Baumann took the free kick from midfield. Soo Hoo then found the ball and crossed it to Vaci, who headed it into the goal, tying the score at two.
Vaci has been a vital addition to the attack this season; not only has she scored in the last four games, but she now tallies in with five goals on the season – the team high. The Spartans, however, were unable to hold onto the tie, and Mount Union scored again with four minutes left in regulation. The final score ended 3-2, Mount Union.
"Mount Union came out strong, and we didn't work as hard as we should have. The second half was much better and people stepped up the intensity but [Mount Union] kept up their pressure," said Miller.
