The women’s soccer team competed in a pair of games this past week. The Leopards defended Gummeson Grounds, winning 2-1 over American University on Saturday before tying 0-0 to Bucknell University on Wednesday.
“Coming back from Colgate, we knew that we could do a lot better as a team,” senior midfielder Sofia Ruggiero said. “Just go out there, win, have fun and keep our standards high.”
Held during Homecoming weekend and the bicentennial kickoff, there was much excitement surrounding the game against American (1-2 Patriot League, 1-7-3 overall).
“We had all of our alumni here,” junior midfielder Nadia Zaffanella said. “You realize that you’re playing for more than just this current team, but the past teams in the program and then even the teams in the future.”
The Leopards (1-0-1 Patriot League, 3-3-4 overall) commanded the field position in the first half, sending off four shots but failing to find the back of the net. The Eagles, on the other hand, only got one shot off in the first 45 minutes, but converted on the 25-yard shot to take a 1-0 lead in the 44th minute.
Faced with the deficit, the Leopards were not shaken.
“We were calm,” Ruggiero said. “We knew what we were capable of.”
This cool and collected attitude helped the Leopards to roar back with a vengeance in the second half.
Defensively, the Maroon and White kept the Eagles’ offense in check. No shots were allowed in the second half, limiting American to just the one from the first half.
On the offensive side, the Leopards attempted to pounce on every opportunity they were given, getting off 10 shots in the half.
“We knew that there were going to be a lot of opportunities for rebounds,” Zaffanella said. “Going into the second half, it was about keeping up the same momentum, getting those shots off, getting those crosses in but also being ready for the rebound.”
After a shot from freshman midfielder Era Methoxha in the 81st minute was deflected by the Eagles’ goalkeeper, Zaffanella found the ball and headed it in to tie up the score. This was her fourth goal of the season and 12th of her career, tying her for 10th all-time.
With two minutes left, sophomore defender Camryn Fitch fired off a corner to the middle of the field, which found the head of Ruggiero, who smacked it in for the game-winning goal and her first of the season.
“I thought to myself, just go for it,” Ruggiero said.
Zaffanella was awarded Patriot League Midfielder of the Week honors for her performance.
“It feels great,” Zaffanella said. “I couldn’t have gotten that accomplishment without my team.”
In Wednesday’s contest, the Leopards were outshot 17-8 by Bucknell (1-0-2 Patriot League, 3-5-4 overall), but junior goalkeeper Catherine Apker made six saves in goal to shut down the Bison offense.
The Leopards’ sole shot on goal came in the 83rd minute from senior forward Katrina Santelli, but the attempt was handled by Bucknell’s goalkeeper, leading to the scoreless draw.
The Maroon and White will hit the field again on Saturday, facing off against Boston University (1-1-1 Patriot League, 4-4-3 overall) on the road.