Our Game Magazine Presents: The NCAA Match of the Week
For the 2011 season, Our Game Magazine will bring you the NCAA Match of the Week. Each week, we will showcase one game where we will provide a preview of the game, with quotes from players and coaches, game day updates and scores, post game interviews and more.
WEEK FIVE: Match of the Week Extra: Stanford University vs. University of Portland
Stanford tops Portland at Merlo Field
By Wanda Rozwadowska
Senior Teresa Noyola orchestrated a 2-0 victory for the No. 1 Stanford Cardinal over the Portland Pilots, notching one goal and one assist Thursday evening at Merlo Field in front of a national TV audience. Noyola scored first for the Cardinal, converting a penalty kick in the 40th minute. Senior Kristy Zurmuhlen finished with a long range goal in the 75th minute. Stanford (No.1 in the Our Game Magazine rankings) held possession for most of the first half, but Portland (No. 20) thwarted any solid scoring opportunity. In the 40th minute, Noyola drove hard into the 18-yard box before being pulled down by a Portland defender. The PK was awarded and Noyola comfortably slotted it to the bottom left corner, her fifth goal of the season.
Down 1-0 at the end of the first half, senior striker Danielle Foxhoven had Portland’s best attempt at goal from a give-and-go with Taylor Brooke in the top right corner of the box. Foxhoven took a touch before firing off a solid shot, but Stanford’s goalkeeper Emily Oliver was well positioned to get in front of it.
It was a more familiar Portland squad that came out in the second half, regaining some of the technical, intelligent brand of soccer they are known for. Yet Stanford held the Pilots to just one shot for the half. Senior Cassie McCluskie found the end of a Michelle Cruz corner kick in the 62nd minute but Oliver again made the save.
In the 75th minute, Noyola set up Stanford's second goal with a pass to Zurmuhlen’s feet about 20 yards out. Zurmuhlen cracked a shot to the far left corner for her first goal of the season.
Stanford (7-0-1) finished the night with 15 shots paced by Chioma Ubogagu’s four. Portland (3-4-1) had two shots, one apiece from Foxhoven and McCluskie. Stanford also had the edge in corner kicks, 5-1.
Portland goalkeeper Hailee DeYoung was forced to make eight saves, while Stanford’s Oliver made two.
Match attendance reached 3,410 fans at Merlo Field despite the overcast, wet conditions.
Portland next hosts the University of Southern California Trojans (3-5-0) on Sunday at home. Stanford travels to Santa Clara (3-0-4) for a match also on Sunday.
Stanford tops Portland at Merlo Field
By Wanda Rozwadowska
Senior Teresa Noyola orchestrated a 2-0 victory for the No. 1 Stanford Cardinal over the Portland Pilots, notching one goal and one assist Thursday evening at Merlo Field in front of a national TV audience. Noyola scored first for the Cardinal, converting a penalty kick in the 40th minute. Senior Kristy Zurmuhlen finished with a long range goal in the 75th minute. Stanford (No.1 in the Our Game Magazine rankings) held possession for most of the first half, but Portland (No. 20) thwarted any solid scoring opportunity. In the 40th minute, Noyola drove hard into the 18-yard box before being pulled down by a Portland defender. The PK was awarded and Noyola comfortably slotted it to the bottom left corner, her fifth goal of the season.
Down 1-0 at the end of the first half, senior striker Danielle Foxhoven had Portland’s best attempt at goal from a give-and-go with Taylor Brooke in the top right corner of the box. Foxhoven took a touch before firing off a solid shot, but Stanford’s goalkeeper Emily Oliver was well positioned to get in front of it.
It was a more familiar Portland squad that came out in the second half, regaining some of the technical, intelligent brand of soccer they are known for. Yet Stanford held the Pilots to just one shot for the half. Senior Cassie McCluskie found the end of a Michelle Cruz corner kick in the 62nd minute but Oliver again made the save.
In the 75th minute, Noyola set up Stanford's second goal with a pass to Zurmuhlen’s feet about 20 yards out. Zurmuhlen cracked a shot to the far left corner for her first goal of the season.
Stanford (7-0-1) finished the night with 15 shots paced by Chioma Ubogagu’s four. Portland (3-4-1) had two shots, one apiece from Foxhoven and McCluskie. Stanford also had the edge in corner kicks, 5-1.
Portland goalkeeper Hailee DeYoung was forced to make eight saves, while Stanford’s Oliver made two.
Match attendance reached 3,410 fans at Merlo Field despite the overcast, wet conditions.
Portland next hosts the University of Southern California Trojans (3-5-0) on Sunday at home. Stanford travels to Santa Clara (3-0-4) for a match also on Sunday.
Week 5: University of Florida vs. University of Missouri
Game Preview
Friday, Sept. 16
Location: Columbia, Missouri
Time: 7:30 pm ET
10. Florida (10) 5-2
Missouri (NR) 7-1
By Shawn Daugherty
This week’s Match of the Week brings us to the Heartland, where unranked Missouri will be going toe-to-toe with the No.10 Florida Gators, in Columbia, Missouri. The possibility of a real barn-burner between these two teams almost seems certain after looking into their recent successes.
This is the third meeting between the two teams since their first in 2004. Factoring in the rumors of Missouri being interested in joining the SEC, especially after Texas A&M’s recent attempted move, this game may have more conference, or future conference, implications than noted before.
The Tigers are coming off a tournament win in the Sun Devil Invitational, knocking off both Arizona and Arizona State, 1-0 apiece, and placing four players onto the All-Tournament team. The last time Missouri lost was on Aug. 19 to San Diego State, 2-1. A week later, Missouri was able to shut out then No.14 Ohio State, 1-0. With a record of 7-1, a win against No. 10 Florida could catapult Mizzou into Our Game Magazine’s Top 25.
No.10 Florida comes into the match off a blistering 5-0 rout of Florida Gulf Coast University, in which five different players tallied goals, and freshman midfielder Annie Speese was able to chalk up three assists. With their only two losses coming to No. 2 Florida State and No. 6 UCLA, the Gators are primed and pumped to continue their move up the ladder.
Tune in via @OurGameLive for live coverage of this entertaining entrance of competing teams at 7:30 ET in Columbia, Missouri.
Follow on Twitter: @OurGameLive
Match Report: www.ourgamemagazine.com
Friday, Sept. 16
Location: Columbia, Missouri
Time: 7:30 pm ET
10. Florida (10) 5-2
Missouri (NR) 7-1
By Shawn Daugherty
This week’s Match of the Week brings us to the Heartland, where unranked Missouri will be going toe-to-toe with the No.10 Florida Gators, in Columbia, Missouri. The possibility of a real barn-burner between these two teams almost seems certain after looking into their recent successes.
This is the third meeting between the two teams since their first in 2004. Factoring in the rumors of Missouri being interested in joining the SEC, especially after Texas A&M’s recent attempted move, this game may have more conference, or future conference, implications than noted before.
The Tigers are coming off a tournament win in the Sun Devil Invitational, knocking off both Arizona and Arizona State, 1-0 apiece, and placing four players onto the All-Tournament team. The last time Missouri lost was on Aug. 19 to San Diego State, 2-1. A week later, Missouri was able to shut out then No.14 Ohio State, 1-0. With a record of 7-1, a win against No. 10 Florida could catapult Mizzou into Our Game Magazine’s Top 25.
No.10 Florida comes into the match off a blistering 5-0 rout of Florida Gulf Coast University, in which five different players tallied goals, and freshman midfielder Annie Speese was able to chalk up three assists. With their only two losses coming to No. 2 Florida State and No. 6 UCLA, the Gators are primed and pumped to continue their move up the ladder.
Tune in via @OurGameLive for live coverage of this entertaining entrance of competing teams at 7:30 ET in Columbia, Missouri.
Follow on Twitter: @OurGameLive
Match Report: www.ourgamemagazine.com
Week 4: University of Virginia vs. Penn State University
Game Report
When: Sunday September 11th
Time: 2:00 p.m.
Location: Charlottesville, Virginia
Final: Penn State 3-2
1st Half:
UVA: 1 - Caroline Miller (3’)
PSU: 1 - Maya Hayes (13’)
PSU: 2 - Taylor Schram (22’)
UVA: 2 - Morgan Brian (30’)
2nd Half:
PSU: 3 - Maya Hayes (66’)
By Ruth Moore
Penn State and Virginia met in the final game of the Virginia Nike Soccer Classic Sunday afternoon with neither team playing for the tournament title. Still an action-packed and high-energy game, the match ended in Virginia’s first loss of the season, a 3-2 win for the visiting Nittany Lions.
Neither team had been able to tally a win in their tournament openers on Friday. Penn State entered the weekend ranked 15th in Our Game Magazine’s (OGM) standings and lost an overtime game, 2-1, to eventual tournament winners Central Florida. Hosts Virginia (8th in OGM standings) had played to a scoreless draw with Washington State.
Both teams hit the field on Sunday with aggressive attacks. Virginia opened the scoring early with a third minute goal by junior forward Caroline Miller. Ten minutes later, Penn State sophomore forward Maya Hayes tallied her first points of the game, scoring the equalizer for the Nittany Lions.
Miller and Hayes were key factors in both side’s offense throughout the match. Hayes assisted on Penn State’s second goal, scored by sophomore midfielder Taylor Schram. Freshman forward Morgan Brian helped the Cavaliers pull even in the 30th minute, but Hayes’ goal in the 66th proved to be the gamewinner for Penn State.
Virginia outshot Penn State 17 to 11, forcing senior goalkeeper Erin McNulty to make seven saves to the Cavalier Chantel Jones’ 2 saves. Defenders on both sides were involved in the attack, particularly late in the game as Virginia sought the equalizer without the leadership of Caroline Miller, who left the game due to injury.
Virginia Head Coach Steve Swanson hopes for his leading scorer’s return to the pitch as the Cavaliers head into ACC play, opening against Maryland this Thursday.
Penn State’s momentum will take the Nittany Lions into Big 10 as they head to Wisconsin to take on the Badgers this Saturday.
Postgame Quotes
Penn State Head Coach Erica Walsh
“We’ve been telling the team, there’s two parts of college soccer. There’s the soccer and then there’s the physical side. In order to win games, we have to win both of those battles. Today I think the soccer was pretty split between the two teams. I thought that this was a very good college soccer game. If we’re going to compete in the Big Ten, we have to have that physical side to us.”
Penn State Freshman Defender Kori Chapic
“Our backline really pulled together, especially this game. Virginia was playing a wide forward base, so our defense had to stay together. We had great communication from Emma Thomson, Carly Niness, and Bri Hovington. Whit Church also pulled in there.”
Chapic on the backline’s role in the win
“As a team we want to stay together, always compact, and move together as a team. We always want to be together and if we are high up, we’re high up together as a team. Obviously it played in our benefit today so they weren’t able to play behind us. Erin did a great job in goal today, coming off her line and winning some crucial balls for us.”
Virginia Head Coach Steve Swanson
“That’s the way it’s going to be the rest of the season. We know this and we don’t have any false illusions. There are a lot of things we can learn from from this particular game. In our conference, you can’t stand still. You have to get better.”
Swanson on adjustments to the offense after being shut out on Friday
“Washington State had nine or ten players behind the ball for most of that game. Here there was a little more space in the middle of the field. Penn State was coming forward more. They were coming out at us and weren’t just relying on the counter. We felt good about our start, changed things up in terms of our formation. It was a good game for the fans because it had some ebb and flow to it.”
Virginia Sophomore Forward Gloria Douglas
“We had to adjust, according to our system at the start of the game. We tried a different look and then we came back, switched up the game and what the game brought to us. One thing we had to do is connect better passes, possess a little bit more, and be smarter about possession on our half as a team. This is stuff we have to work on this week to be ready for ACC.”
When: Sunday September 11th
Time: 2:00 p.m.
Location: Charlottesville, Virginia
Final: Penn State 3-2
1st Half:
UVA: 1 - Caroline Miller (3’)
PSU: 1 - Maya Hayes (13’)
PSU: 2 - Taylor Schram (22’)
UVA: 2 - Morgan Brian (30’)
2nd Half:
PSU: 3 - Maya Hayes (66’)
By Ruth Moore
Penn State and Virginia met in the final game of the Virginia Nike Soccer Classic Sunday afternoon with neither team playing for the tournament title. Still an action-packed and high-energy game, the match ended in Virginia’s first loss of the season, a 3-2 win for the visiting Nittany Lions.
Neither team had been able to tally a win in their tournament openers on Friday. Penn State entered the weekend ranked 15th in Our Game Magazine’s (OGM) standings and lost an overtime game, 2-1, to eventual tournament winners Central Florida. Hosts Virginia (8th in OGM standings) had played to a scoreless draw with Washington State.
Both teams hit the field on Sunday with aggressive attacks. Virginia opened the scoring early with a third minute goal by junior forward Caroline Miller. Ten minutes later, Penn State sophomore forward Maya Hayes tallied her first points of the game, scoring the equalizer for the Nittany Lions.
Miller and Hayes were key factors in both side’s offense throughout the match. Hayes assisted on Penn State’s second goal, scored by sophomore midfielder Taylor Schram. Freshman forward Morgan Brian helped the Cavaliers pull even in the 30th minute, but Hayes’ goal in the 66th proved to be the gamewinner for Penn State.
Virginia outshot Penn State 17 to 11, forcing senior goalkeeper Erin McNulty to make seven saves to the Cavalier Chantel Jones’ 2 saves. Defenders on both sides were involved in the attack, particularly late in the game as Virginia sought the equalizer without the leadership of Caroline Miller, who left the game due to injury.
Virginia Head Coach Steve Swanson hopes for his leading scorer’s return to the pitch as the Cavaliers head into ACC play, opening against Maryland this Thursday.
Penn State’s momentum will take the Nittany Lions into Big 10 as they head to Wisconsin to take on the Badgers this Saturday.
Postgame Quotes
Penn State Head Coach Erica Walsh
“We’ve been telling the team, there’s two parts of college soccer. There’s the soccer and then there’s the physical side. In order to win games, we have to win both of those battles. Today I think the soccer was pretty split between the two teams. I thought that this was a very good college soccer game. If we’re going to compete in the Big Ten, we have to have that physical side to us.”
Penn State Freshman Defender Kori Chapic
“Our backline really pulled together, especially this game. Virginia was playing a wide forward base, so our defense had to stay together. We had great communication from Emma Thomson, Carly Niness, and Bri Hovington. Whit Church also pulled in there.”
Chapic on the backline’s role in the win
“As a team we want to stay together, always compact, and move together as a team. We always want to be together and if we are high up, we’re high up together as a team. Obviously it played in our benefit today so they weren’t able to play behind us. Erin did a great job in goal today, coming off her line and winning some crucial balls for us.”
Virginia Head Coach Steve Swanson
“That’s the way it’s going to be the rest of the season. We know this and we don’t have any false illusions. There are a lot of things we can learn from from this particular game. In our conference, you can’t stand still. You have to get better.”
Swanson on adjustments to the offense after being shut out on Friday
“Washington State had nine or ten players behind the ball for most of that game. Here there was a little more space in the middle of the field. Penn State was coming forward more. They were coming out at us and weren’t just relying on the counter. We felt good about our start, changed things up in terms of our formation. It was a good game for the fans because it had some ebb and flow to it.”
Virginia Sophomore Forward Gloria Douglas
“We had to adjust, according to our system at the start of the game. We tried a different look and then we came back, switched up the game and what the game brought to us. One thing we had to do is connect better passes, possess a little bit more, and be smarter about possession on our half as a team. This is stuff we have to work on this week to be ready for ACC.”
Game Preview
This week’s Match of the Week takes us down to Charlottesville, Virginia to see the Penn State Nittany Lions (15) take on the Virginia Cavaliers (8). Having played each other eight times since their first meeting in 1997, the Nittany Lions lead the series 5-2-1. The last time the two teams played was in the beginning of the 2010 season which ended with a 1-1 result and goals from Hayley Brock (then PSU) and Lauren Alwine (UVA).
Virginia is undefeated coming into this game with a record of 6-0 and 26 goals to brag about. Goals have been coming from several different players including Caroline Miller, Gloria Douglas, Morgan Brian and Julia Roberts. The only other ranked team they have met this season is West Virginia, who they beat 2-1 in their season opener.
Penn State comes into match at 5-1-0 with their only loss coming from top-ranked Stanford (1) the first game of the season. After recording five goals last weekend, Penn State’s leading goal-scorer Maya Hayes (9) captured every possible weekly award. Aside from allowing four goals in their first game, the Lions have given up only one goal in their last five matches. Their stingy defense is anchored by transfer goalkeeper Erin McNulty.
With this game falling on a Sunday, both teams will have to take care of business Friday night to have fresh legs for this contest. Virginia takes on Washington State and Penn State has Central Florida in the opening match of the Virginia Classic.
Virginia’s offensive firepower and Penn State’s goalkeeping and defensive presence make this a must-see for the weekend.
Join us from Charlottesville this Sunday at 2 p.m. where we’ll be covering the match live.
Penn State Head Coach Erica Walsh
"The rivalry between UVA and Penn State grows stronger with each passing season. Steve [Swanson] has done an excellent job building his program and this match always proves to be one of our more exciting ones on the schedule year in and year out. Chantel Jones has established herself as one of the best goalkeepers in the country and we're going to have to be clever on Sunday to get past her."
Follow on Twitter: OurGameLive
Post game report: www.ourgamemagazine.com
This week’s Match of the Week takes us down to Charlottesville, Virginia to see the Penn State Nittany Lions (15) take on the Virginia Cavaliers (8). Having played each other eight times since their first meeting in 1997, the Nittany Lions lead the series 5-2-1. The last time the two teams played was in the beginning of the 2010 season which ended with a 1-1 result and goals from Hayley Brock (then PSU) and Lauren Alwine (UVA).
Virginia is undefeated coming into this game with a record of 6-0 and 26 goals to brag about. Goals have been coming from several different players including Caroline Miller, Gloria Douglas, Morgan Brian and Julia Roberts. The only other ranked team they have met this season is West Virginia, who they beat 2-1 in their season opener.
Penn State comes into match at 5-1-0 with their only loss coming from top-ranked Stanford (1) the first game of the season. After recording five goals last weekend, Penn State’s leading goal-scorer Maya Hayes (9) captured every possible weekly award. Aside from allowing four goals in their first game, the Lions have given up only one goal in their last five matches. Their stingy defense is anchored by transfer goalkeeper Erin McNulty.
With this game falling on a Sunday, both teams will have to take care of business Friday night to have fresh legs for this contest. Virginia takes on Washington State and Penn State has Central Florida in the opening match of the Virginia Classic.
Virginia’s offensive firepower and Penn State’s goalkeeping and defensive presence make this a must-see for the weekend.
Join us from Charlottesville this Sunday at 2 p.m. where we’ll be covering the match live.
Penn State Head Coach Erica Walsh
"The rivalry between UVA and Penn State grows stronger with each passing season. Steve [Swanson] has done an excellent job building his program and this match always proves to be one of our more exciting ones on the schedule year in and year out. Chantel Jones has established herself as one of the best goalkeepers in the country and we're going to have to be clever on Sunday to get past her."
Follow on Twitter: OurGameLive
Post game report: www.ourgamemagazine.com
Week 3: West Virginia University vs. Ohio State University
Ohio State vs. West Virginia
Date: Thursday, Sept. 1, 2011
Time: 7pm EST
Location: Morgantown, West Virginia
Game Report
Final: Ohio State, 2-0
2nd Half:
OSU: 1 - Chelsy Swackhamer (72')
OSU: 2 - Tiffany Cameron (90')
Ohio State and West Virginia took the field Thursday night in Morgantown, W.Va. An already heated rivalry, this match-up carried extra weight for both teams, and in the end, Ohio State came away with a 2-0 win.
Perennially ranked, both sides were carrying tough losses from last weekend. Ohio State dropped to No. 17 in Our Game Magazine’s (OGM) weekly standings after a 1-0 loss to unranked Missouri. West Virginia dropped from OGM’s Top 25 entirely after a poor showing that resulted in a 5-0 loss to Penn State. With conference play two weeks away, both sides were under pressure to pick up the momentum.
“It’s always a hard-fought match, not always pretty, but both teams come out and really have to show their side as warriors,” said Ohio State Head Coach Lori Walker.
West Virginia Head Coach Nikki Izzo-Brown agreed, describing the game as a battle. The Mountaineer squad looked entirely different from the one that had played at Penn State the previous weekend, with West Virginia matching and often surpassing Ohio State’s intensity in the game.
West Virginia had the better of the attack in the first half, outshooting the Buckeyes 8-6. West Virginia’s shots on goal came from senior defender Drea Barklage and sophomore forward Frances Silva. Senior forward Blake Miller was continuously involved in the attack.
At halftime, Ohio State adjusted their formation and both teams upped their physical presence, resulting in 15 fouls for the Mountaineers and 11 for the Buckeyes. Of the three yellow cards, two were on West Virginia.
The game remained close even throughout the second half, with the stats favoring West Virginia, but an Ohio State corner kick would result in the Buckeyes taking a 1-0 lead on a goal by Chelsy Swackhamer in the 72nd minute. The Mountaineers kept up the pressure, tallying six shots to the Buckeyes’ five in the second half.
Despite a number of late chances, West Virginia was unable to finish with a goal. Ohio State quashed any thoughts of a last-minute equalizer when Tiffany Cameron scored off a breakaway with 30 seconds left in regulation.
Following this win on the road, Ohio State returns home to face top-ranked North Carolina on Sunday. West Virginia will look to bounce back against Marshall.
Postgame Quotes
Ohio State Head Coach Lori Walker
"This is such an important rivalry for us. We have the utmost respect for the West Virginia program. It helps to prepare us for what we’re going to see in the Big Ten and flipside for them, what they’re going to see in the Big East. When you play a hard-fought game like this, it can wear you out, but it can also help us. I think it really helped us to get over some of the problems that we’ve been having in our midfield."
West Virginia Head Coach Nikki Izzo-Brown
"This is what we’re going to see in Big East play. Every team offers something different. We know that this intensity, this type of game with this type of physicality and mentality, we have to finish a game. So it’s got to be 90 minutes. There are times when teams put pressure on you and you make mental mistakes. I think when we were at Penn State, mentally we were just breaking down."
West Virginia senior defender Drea Barklage
"We have a lot of work to do. It’s good to see that we can compete against a team like Ohio State, because last weekend we didn’t show that we could compete. It’s an emotional game, but there’s a lot of positive things that came out of it. I think that if we finished early, in the first half, it would have been a completely different game."
Barklage on the physicality of the match:
"When that kind of stuff happens, you have to stay above it, even if it’s on your team. It’s an emotional game. You have to calm yourself down and say that’s not what this is about. You have to play soccer. If the other team is going to come out and beat you up, you gotta play it down and play simple. If you hold onto the ball you’re going to get crushed."
Date: Thursday, Sept. 1, 2011
Time: 7pm EST
Location: Morgantown, West Virginia
Game Report
Final: Ohio State, 2-0
2nd Half:
OSU: 1 - Chelsy Swackhamer (72')
OSU: 2 - Tiffany Cameron (90')
Ohio State and West Virginia took the field Thursday night in Morgantown, W.Va. An already heated rivalry, this match-up carried extra weight for both teams, and in the end, Ohio State came away with a 2-0 win.
Perennially ranked, both sides were carrying tough losses from last weekend. Ohio State dropped to No. 17 in Our Game Magazine’s (OGM) weekly standings after a 1-0 loss to unranked Missouri. West Virginia dropped from OGM’s Top 25 entirely after a poor showing that resulted in a 5-0 loss to Penn State. With conference play two weeks away, both sides were under pressure to pick up the momentum.
“It’s always a hard-fought match, not always pretty, but both teams come out and really have to show their side as warriors,” said Ohio State Head Coach Lori Walker.
West Virginia Head Coach Nikki Izzo-Brown agreed, describing the game as a battle. The Mountaineer squad looked entirely different from the one that had played at Penn State the previous weekend, with West Virginia matching and often surpassing Ohio State’s intensity in the game.
West Virginia had the better of the attack in the first half, outshooting the Buckeyes 8-6. West Virginia’s shots on goal came from senior defender Drea Barklage and sophomore forward Frances Silva. Senior forward Blake Miller was continuously involved in the attack.
At halftime, Ohio State adjusted their formation and both teams upped their physical presence, resulting in 15 fouls for the Mountaineers and 11 for the Buckeyes. Of the three yellow cards, two were on West Virginia.
The game remained close even throughout the second half, with the stats favoring West Virginia, but an Ohio State corner kick would result in the Buckeyes taking a 1-0 lead on a goal by Chelsy Swackhamer in the 72nd minute. The Mountaineers kept up the pressure, tallying six shots to the Buckeyes’ five in the second half.
Despite a number of late chances, West Virginia was unable to finish with a goal. Ohio State quashed any thoughts of a last-minute equalizer when Tiffany Cameron scored off a breakaway with 30 seconds left in regulation.
Following this win on the road, Ohio State returns home to face top-ranked North Carolina on Sunday. West Virginia will look to bounce back against Marshall.
Postgame Quotes
Ohio State Head Coach Lori Walker
"This is such an important rivalry for us. We have the utmost respect for the West Virginia program. It helps to prepare us for what we’re going to see in the Big Ten and flipside for them, what they’re going to see in the Big East. When you play a hard-fought game like this, it can wear you out, but it can also help us. I think it really helped us to get over some of the problems that we’ve been having in our midfield."
West Virginia Head Coach Nikki Izzo-Brown
"This is what we’re going to see in Big East play. Every team offers something different. We know that this intensity, this type of game with this type of physicality and mentality, we have to finish a game. So it’s got to be 90 minutes. There are times when teams put pressure on you and you make mental mistakes. I think when we were at Penn State, mentally we were just breaking down."
West Virginia senior defender Drea Barklage
"We have a lot of work to do. It’s good to see that we can compete against a team like Ohio State, because last weekend we didn’t show that we could compete. It’s an emotional game, but there’s a lot of positive things that came out of it. I think that if we finished early, in the first half, it would have been a completely different game."
Barklage on the physicality of the match:
"When that kind of stuff happens, you have to stay above it, even if it’s on your team. It’s an emotional game. You have to calm yourself down and say that’s not what this is about. You have to play soccer. If the other team is going to come out and beat you up, you gotta play it down and play simple. If you hold onto the ball you’re going to get crushed."
Game Preview
Our Match of the Week takes us to Morgantown, West Virginia to see the West Virginia Mountaineers take on on Our Game’s No. 17 ranked Ohio State Buckeyes. The Mountaineers (2-2) come into the game fresh off a 5-0 loss to a previously unranked Penn State team. Ohio State (3-1) comes into the game off a 1-0 loss to an unranked Missouri team. With these unexpected losses last weekend, both teams will be hungry for a big win to regain momentum.
The history between these two teams dates back to 1996 where they met for the first time, ending in a 1-0 Buckeye win. Since then, Ohio State has continued to have the edge over the Mountaineers, with an all-time record of 4-2-1 in the Buckeyes’ favor.
In their first few games, senior forward Paige Maxwell and freshman midfielder Kiiri Kuld have contributed offensively with three goals and three assists between the two of them. In goal, senior Katie Baumgardner has only let up two goals in four games.
For the Mountaineers, the offensive firepower has come from several different players, making them a dangerous team. In four games, they have had seven different goalscorers, including Erica Henderson, Mallory Smith, Bri Rodriguez, Blake Miller, Drea Barlage, Frances Silva, and Chelsey Corroto.
Though it’s still early in the season, this game will prove to be vital for both teams going forward. This will be the game where they should have most of the kinks out to see what they’re really capable of. Join us this week as we report live from West Virginia.
Quotes from West Virginia Head Coach Nikki Izzo-Brown:
“We are looking forward to coming home and playing in front of our fans. I expect a large crowd to help support us against a very good Ohio State team. Their voice and their energy can help make a difference. It’s always a battle against Ohio State, and they are coming off a Final Four season. They return most of their starters who experienced that NCAA run, and it should be an exciting match (Thursday) night.”
Follow on Twitter: @OurGameLive
Match Report: www.ourgamemagazine.com
Our Match of the Week takes us to Morgantown, West Virginia to see the West Virginia Mountaineers take on on Our Game’s No. 17 ranked Ohio State Buckeyes. The Mountaineers (2-2) come into the game fresh off a 5-0 loss to a previously unranked Penn State team. Ohio State (3-1) comes into the game off a 1-0 loss to an unranked Missouri team. With these unexpected losses last weekend, both teams will be hungry for a big win to regain momentum.
The history between these two teams dates back to 1996 where they met for the first time, ending in a 1-0 Buckeye win. Since then, Ohio State has continued to have the edge over the Mountaineers, with an all-time record of 4-2-1 in the Buckeyes’ favor.
In their first few games, senior forward Paige Maxwell and freshman midfielder Kiiri Kuld have contributed offensively with three goals and three assists between the two of them. In goal, senior Katie Baumgardner has only let up two goals in four games.
For the Mountaineers, the offensive firepower has come from several different players, making them a dangerous team. In four games, they have had seven different goalscorers, including Erica Henderson, Mallory Smith, Bri Rodriguez, Blake Miller, Drea Barlage, Frances Silva, and Chelsey Corroto.
Though it’s still early in the season, this game will prove to be vital for both teams going forward. This will be the game where they should have most of the kinks out to see what they’re really capable of. Join us this week as we report live from West Virginia.
Quotes from West Virginia Head Coach Nikki Izzo-Brown:
“We are looking forward to coming home and playing in front of our fans. I expect a large crowd to help support us against a very good Ohio State team. Their voice and their energy can help make a difference. It’s always a battle against Ohio State, and they are coming off a Final Four season. They return most of their starters who experienced that NCAA run, and it should be an exciting match (Thursday) night.”
Follow on Twitter: @OurGameLive
Match Report: www.ourgamemagazine.com
Aug. 27, 2011
UNC vs. Notre Dame, Friday, Aug. 27. Final score: UNC 2, Notre Dame 1
Photos by Shane Lardinois
UNC vs. Notre Dame, Friday, Aug. 27. Final score: UNC 2, Notre Dame 1
Photos by Shane Lardinois
Week 2 Extra: UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA vs. NOTRE DAME UNIVERSITY
Friday, August 26, 2011
Time: 7 p.m. ET
Location: Fetzer Field - Chapel Hill, N.C.
Game Report
Final: UNC 2-1 (OT)
1st Half
UNC: 1 - Ranee Premji (20')
2nd Half:
ND: 1 - Jazmin Hall (71')
OT:
UNC: 2 - Courtney Jones (93')
By Bobby Gerry
In front of the fourth largest crowd ever at Fetzer Field, the North Carolina Tar Heels played host to the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame. More than five thousand fans put fears of an impending hurricane aside to make it out to see a Clash of the Titans in women’s collegiate soccer, and in the end, the host Tar Heels weathered the storm and topped the visiting Irish. A golden goal by Our Game Magazine's Player of the Game, senior forward Courtney Jones in the first period of overtime sealed the win for UNC.
Right from the start, Notre Dame came out and dominated possession in the first half. The Irish peppered UNC keeper Hannah Daly with shots in just the first few minutes of the game. Daly made saves on strikes from Melissa Henderson, Mandy Laddish, Lauren Bohaboy, and Elizabeth Tucker, all coming in the first 15 minutes of play. The Irish executed a strong attack and it seemed only a matter of time before they would score the first goal of the night. North Carolina’s defense, though, held up under the withering fire and managed to repel everything thrown at them.
The Heels’ Kealia Ohai had her own chance on the offensive side at about 10 minutes in, firing a shot from inside the box that slipped just wide of the Notre Dame goal. A minute later, with the Irish attacking again, Bohaboy launched a beautiful strike from the top of the box aimed topshelf on UNC’s goal. Daly went all the way up to make the save, just getting a hand on the ball to tip it over the crossbar. Six minutes later, Notre Dame forward Elizabeth Tucker hit a beautiful strike from the top of the box, but again, Daly made the save.
In the first 18 minutes of play, the shots favored Notre Dame with all of them on goal and none going wide. In addition, the Irish had two corner kicks with none for UNC.
Then, UNC struck back. After a foul in the Notre Dame half of the field, Jones was set up for a free kick from just five yards outside the box. She unleashed a cannon shot that pounded into a Notre Dame defender and caromed over the back line. Jones then served in the corner which bounced around in the box before being cleared away by the Irish. Again, she found the ball and served it back toward goal. This time Ranee Premji collected the ball and fired a shot from inside the penalty area straight into the back of the net for the first goal of the evening. Premji’s goal came at 19:13.
A minute later, with Notre Dame attacking again, Jessica Schuveiller took a shot on goal from just outside the box which was again saved by Hannah Daly. By halfway through the first half, Daly was already at a career high for saves in a game.
The attacks continued for the Irish as Courtney Barg took a shot that went high. A minute later, Notre Dame’s Mandy Laddish served in a corner kick that bounced around in the UNC box before being cleared away. Two minutes later Notre Dame again threatened on the attack. A through ball was collected by Henderson, who shot it into the Tar Heels’ net, but she was called offsides. Back the other way. A long shot by Ohai from outside the box. Save Voigt. The action continued back and forth.
Notre Dame had their final great scoring opportunity of the first half with seven minutes remaining before halftime. Texan Rebecca Twining for Notre Dame got the ball deep inside North Carolina’s box and took a shot at point blank range right on goal near the far post. Somehow Daly had herself in position to fully block it. A huge save of what seemed a sure goal.
Rain began shortly into the second half and wet conditions made it difficult for either side to gain much of an advantage. First a light rain, then a sheeting rain. The players fought back and forth mainly in the middle, with the ball barely finding the box over 25 minutes of play. Advantage in time of possession favored neither side. In the 70th minute, the rain stopped. The field was soaked but the air cleared. In the 71st minute, defender Jazmin Hall served a long, high ball in for Notre Dame. With Adriana Leon of the Irish trying to screen Daly, the wet ball slid through Daly's hands and into goal for the Irish, tying the game with 19 minutes left to play.
Over the next 15 minutes, UNC midfielders sent a couple of through balls deep into the Irish side but the Tar Heel attackers couldn’t catch up to them. In the 86th minute, the Irish had their most intense flurry of the night in front of the Carolina goal. A free kick was served in and Schuveiller went up for a header on the near side. It bounced off the crossbar and back into play. There was a scramble to clear but just 10 seconds later Leon found the ball 15 yards out on the near side. She sent a curling shot toward the upper right corner of the Tar Heel goal. Daly who had been on the near post, made a leaping, outstretched dive to her left. She somehow swatted the ball away in a highlight reel save that lifted the Tar Heel fans out of their seats. In the flash of an eye, a near Irish goal had been tipped away by a flying goalkeeper.
Three minutes into overtime, a Notre Dame foul set up a Carolina free kick from 45 yards out. Rachel Wood served in a long, high ball. Amber Brooks got under it to take a superb header which sailed just barely wide of the Notre Dame goal. It was one of Carolina’s best chances of the night and barely missed. Three minutes later, Brooks, not to be daunted by the miss, intercepted the ball right at midfield and made a run toward goal. She passed to Ohai on the left side who sent the ball back toward center where a charging Jones unleashed a booming shot straight into the back of the Irish goal. Five thousand fans erupted in a roar from the sidelines while the Tar Heel players rushed the field and fell all over themselves in celebration.
The Tar Heels had won a game that seemed largely dominated by Notre Dame. It was a tough fought battle between two of the best teams in the country. Notre Dame still holds the edge at Fetzer Field with four victories and only three defeats.
Time: 7 p.m. ET
Location: Fetzer Field - Chapel Hill, N.C.
Game Report
Final: UNC 2-1 (OT)
1st Half
UNC: 1 - Ranee Premji (20')
2nd Half:
ND: 1 - Jazmin Hall (71')
OT:
UNC: 2 - Courtney Jones (93')
By Bobby Gerry
In front of the fourth largest crowd ever at Fetzer Field, the North Carolina Tar Heels played host to the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame. More than five thousand fans put fears of an impending hurricane aside to make it out to see a Clash of the Titans in women’s collegiate soccer, and in the end, the host Tar Heels weathered the storm and topped the visiting Irish. A golden goal by Our Game Magazine's Player of the Game, senior forward Courtney Jones in the first period of overtime sealed the win for UNC.
Right from the start, Notre Dame came out and dominated possession in the first half. The Irish peppered UNC keeper Hannah Daly with shots in just the first few minutes of the game. Daly made saves on strikes from Melissa Henderson, Mandy Laddish, Lauren Bohaboy, and Elizabeth Tucker, all coming in the first 15 minutes of play. The Irish executed a strong attack and it seemed only a matter of time before they would score the first goal of the night. North Carolina’s defense, though, held up under the withering fire and managed to repel everything thrown at them.
The Heels’ Kealia Ohai had her own chance on the offensive side at about 10 minutes in, firing a shot from inside the box that slipped just wide of the Notre Dame goal. A minute later, with the Irish attacking again, Bohaboy launched a beautiful strike from the top of the box aimed topshelf on UNC’s goal. Daly went all the way up to make the save, just getting a hand on the ball to tip it over the crossbar. Six minutes later, Notre Dame forward Elizabeth Tucker hit a beautiful strike from the top of the box, but again, Daly made the save.
In the first 18 minutes of play, the shots favored Notre Dame with all of them on goal and none going wide. In addition, the Irish had two corner kicks with none for UNC.
Then, UNC struck back. After a foul in the Notre Dame half of the field, Jones was set up for a free kick from just five yards outside the box. She unleashed a cannon shot that pounded into a Notre Dame defender and caromed over the back line. Jones then served in the corner which bounced around in the box before being cleared away by the Irish. Again, she found the ball and served it back toward goal. This time Ranee Premji collected the ball and fired a shot from inside the penalty area straight into the back of the net for the first goal of the evening. Premji’s goal came at 19:13.
A minute later, with Notre Dame attacking again, Jessica Schuveiller took a shot on goal from just outside the box which was again saved by Hannah Daly. By halfway through the first half, Daly was already at a career high for saves in a game.
The attacks continued for the Irish as Courtney Barg took a shot that went high. A minute later, Notre Dame’s Mandy Laddish served in a corner kick that bounced around in the UNC box before being cleared away. Two minutes later Notre Dame again threatened on the attack. A through ball was collected by Henderson, who shot it into the Tar Heels’ net, but she was called offsides. Back the other way. A long shot by Ohai from outside the box. Save Voigt. The action continued back and forth.
Notre Dame had their final great scoring opportunity of the first half with seven minutes remaining before halftime. Texan Rebecca Twining for Notre Dame got the ball deep inside North Carolina’s box and took a shot at point blank range right on goal near the far post. Somehow Daly had herself in position to fully block it. A huge save of what seemed a sure goal.
Rain began shortly into the second half and wet conditions made it difficult for either side to gain much of an advantage. First a light rain, then a sheeting rain. The players fought back and forth mainly in the middle, with the ball barely finding the box over 25 minutes of play. Advantage in time of possession favored neither side. In the 70th minute, the rain stopped. The field was soaked but the air cleared. In the 71st minute, defender Jazmin Hall served a long, high ball in for Notre Dame. With Adriana Leon of the Irish trying to screen Daly, the wet ball slid through Daly's hands and into goal for the Irish, tying the game with 19 minutes left to play.
Over the next 15 minutes, UNC midfielders sent a couple of through balls deep into the Irish side but the Tar Heel attackers couldn’t catch up to them. In the 86th minute, the Irish had their most intense flurry of the night in front of the Carolina goal. A free kick was served in and Schuveiller went up for a header on the near side. It bounced off the crossbar and back into play. There was a scramble to clear but just 10 seconds later Leon found the ball 15 yards out on the near side. She sent a curling shot toward the upper right corner of the Tar Heel goal. Daly who had been on the near post, made a leaping, outstretched dive to her left. She somehow swatted the ball away in a highlight reel save that lifted the Tar Heel fans out of their seats. In the flash of an eye, a near Irish goal had been tipped away by a flying goalkeeper.
Three minutes into overtime, a Notre Dame foul set up a Carolina free kick from 45 yards out. Rachel Wood served in a long, high ball. Amber Brooks got under it to take a superb header which sailed just barely wide of the Notre Dame goal. It was one of Carolina’s best chances of the night and barely missed. Three minutes later, Brooks, not to be daunted by the miss, intercepted the ball right at midfield and made a run toward goal. She passed to Ohai on the left side who sent the ball back toward center where a charging Jones unleashed a booming shot straight into the back of the Irish goal. Five thousand fans erupted in a roar from the sidelines while the Tar Heel players rushed the field and fell all over themselves in celebration.
The Tar Heels had won a game that seemed largely dominated by Notre Dame. It was a tough fought battle between two of the best teams in the country. Notre Dame still holds the edge at Fetzer Field with four victories and only three defeats.
Game Preview
No. 2 Notre Dame will face No 6. North Carolina Friday in Chapel Hill in what should be one of the best games of the early 2011 season. With a long history that dates back to 1995, the two teams have played each other 19 times. Of those 19 games, the Tar Heels have won 12 and tied twice. That only leaves five wins for the Irish in the past 15 years, which is still more wins than any other team that has faced the Tar Heels. Four of those Irish wins came on the road at North Carolina.
The last time these two teams played was in the third round of the 2010 NCAA Tournament, which saw Notre Dame come out on top with a 4-1 defeat of UNC. The win propelled them to the College Cup, where they beat Stanford in the finals, 1-0, for their third-ever National Championship.
Both teams feature a number of returning players in this year's matchup, including star forward for the Irish, Melissa Henderson, who has been on fire as of late. In Notre Dame’s game against Wisconsin last week, Henderson assisted on Notre Dame's first-half goal and followed up with a goal of her own in the second. Henderson tallied a goal and an assist in last year’s postseason meeting between the two powerhouses. Ranee Premji, who scored the Tar Heels’ game-winner in their 2011 season opener against Nebraska, assisted on UNC’s lone goal in the previous game against Notre Dame.
Two of the top teams in the nation and two of the most storied programs in women's soccer get set to clash Friday night in what could easily be a preview of the 2011 College Cup.
Join us as we report live from Chapel Hill, North Carolina, Friday.
Follow on Twitter: OurGameLive
Post Game report: www.ourgamemagazine.com
No. 2 Notre Dame will face No 6. North Carolina Friday in Chapel Hill in what should be one of the best games of the early 2011 season. With a long history that dates back to 1995, the two teams have played each other 19 times. Of those 19 games, the Tar Heels have won 12 and tied twice. That only leaves five wins for the Irish in the past 15 years, which is still more wins than any other team that has faced the Tar Heels. Four of those Irish wins came on the road at North Carolina.
The last time these two teams played was in the third round of the 2010 NCAA Tournament, which saw Notre Dame come out on top with a 4-1 defeat of UNC. The win propelled them to the College Cup, where they beat Stanford in the finals, 1-0, for their third-ever National Championship.
Both teams feature a number of returning players in this year's matchup, including star forward for the Irish, Melissa Henderson, who has been on fire as of late. In Notre Dame’s game against Wisconsin last week, Henderson assisted on Notre Dame's first-half goal and followed up with a goal of her own in the second. Henderson tallied a goal and an assist in last year’s postseason meeting between the two powerhouses. Ranee Premji, who scored the Tar Heels’ game-winner in their 2011 season opener against Nebraska, assisted on UNC’s lone goal in the previous game against Notre Dame.
Two of the top teams in the nation and two of the most storied programs in women's soccer get set to clash Friday night in what could easily be a preview of the 2011 College Cup.
Join us as we report live from Chapel Hill, North Carolina, Friday.
Follow on Twitter: OurGameLive
Post Game report: www.ourgamemagazine.com
WEEK 2: UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND vs. STANFORD UNIVERSITY
Game Preview
With the likes of the storied North Carolina-Notre Dame series and a number of other matchups involving two Top 25 teams this weekend, one might ask, why Stanford vs. Maryland? These two teams have only met once before. The previous meeting, in the 2000 regular season, resulted in a 3-0 win for Stanford at home. The two teams have not crossed paths in 11 years, and yet they enter Friday’s game on common ground as both rained goals against opponents in their first two games of the season.
This week, Stanford comes east with a No. 1 Our Game Magazine (OGM) ranking and a 9-goal aggregate from an opening weekend at home. Both matches were high-scoring affairs, with Stanford rolling over Penn State, 4-0, and Pacific, 5-2. Strikers Camille Levin and Chioma Ubogagu put up notable numbers and will be players to watch as the Cardinal charges on.
Hosts Maryland, currently ranked No. 9 by OGM, posted a 1-0 victory over Minnesota last Friday, then equalled Stanford’s total output with a 9-0 win over Loyola (Md.) on Monday. Redshirt junior Becky Kaplan scored a hat trick in the first half against an outmatched Loyola. Danielle Hubka, who scored Maryland’s game-winner against Minnesota, tallied two assists in the rout.
Under the combined weight of Stanford’s and Maryland’s goals from last weekend, one notable change in the lineups might be between the posts. Although Lindsay Dickerson and Aly Gleason split time in net for the two games last weekend, we should expect to see sophomore Emily Oliver return to the lineup in the next few games for the Cardinal.
With the likes of the storied North Carolina-Notre Dame series and a number of other matchups involving two Top 25 teams this weekend, one might ask, why Stanford vs. Maryland? These two teams have only met once before. The previous meeting, in the 2000 regular season, resulted in a 3-0 win for Stanford at home. The two teams have not crossed paths in 11 years, and yet they enter Friday’s game on common ground as both rained goals against opponents in their first two games of the season.
This week, Stanford comes east with a No. 1 Our Game Magazine (OGM) ranking and a 9-goal aggregate from an opening weekend at home. Both matches were high-scoring affairs, with Stanford rolling over Penn State, 4-0, and Pacific, 5-2. Strikers Camille Levin and Chioma Ubogagu put up notable numbers and will be players to watch as the Cardinal charges on.
Hosts Maryland, currently ranked No. 9 by OGM, posted a 1-0 victory over Minnesota last Friday, then equalled Stanford’s total output with a 9-0 win over Loyola (Md.) on Monday. Redshirt junior Becky Kaplan scored a hat trick in the first half against an outmatched Loyola. Danielle Hubka, who scored Maryland’s game-winner against Minnesota, tallied two assists in the rout.
Under the combined weight of Stanford’s and Maryland’s goals from last weekend, one notable change in the lineups might be between the posts. Although Lindsay Dickerson and Aly Gleason split time in net for the two games last weekend, we should expect to see sophomore Emily Oliver return to the lineup in the next few games for the Cardinal.
WEEK 1: BOSTON COLLEGE vs. BOSTON UNIVERSITY
Friday, August 19, 2011
Time: 4 p.m. ET
Location: Boston College - Newton, Mass.
Game Report
Final: 1-1
1st Half
BU: 1 - Jessica Luscinski (24')
BC: 1 - Victoria DiMartino (40')
By Ciara McCormack
Torrential downpour delayed the start of the first game of familiar foes Boston University and Boston College. However, once the game started, Boston University surprisingly were the team that looked to be the better one, despite Boston College’s No. 4 ranking. Boston University lined up with a surprising three back, with senior captain Lina Cords anchoring the defensive line. Strong play from Cords and senior Katherine Donnelly, limited Boston College’s chances for the first part of the game to long range efforts from BC’s All-American midfielder Kristie Mewis, which both sailed over the bar.
While BU owned the majority of the possession, with sophomore center mids Kylie Strom and Emma Clark winning balls well in the air, and distributing effectively on the ground, BU lacked the final pass. BU looked to be the stronger team, but on the other end, Boston College looked dangerous on the counter attack with freshman forward Stephanie McCaffrey and junior forward Vicki DiMartino leading the way, and with Mewis supporting behind.
BU took a well-deserved lead in the 24th minute, when Our Game Magazine’s Player of the Game, senior midfielder Jessica Luscinski ripped a free kick from about 25 yards out into the center of the net, past senior keeper Jillian Mastroianni. Luscinski was unlucky to not get a PK call a few minutes later as she looked to be taken down in the box, but the referee waved play on.
Halfway through the first half, BU Coach Nancy Feldman began making wholesale substitutions. This seemed to affect the Terriers momentum, and as the first half neared a close, although BU still looked to be the stronger side, BC began looked more dangerous than it had in a surprisingly quiet first half. Against the run of play in the 40th minute, BU was unlucky, as sophomore keeper Kelly King looked to have possession of a ball that came over the top. As she stood holding the ball, sophomore defender Emma Caringello, who had tracked DiMartino into the box, was unfortunate to run into Kelly. Kelly who was injured on the play, dropped the ball and DiMartino was the lucky recipient of an open net, which she finished to tie the score at 1-1. The injured Kelly, who had had a solid game to that point, subsequently was subbed by senior keeper Alice Binns, who finished the rest of the game in net for the Terriers.
The second half began with more even play, as the Eagles began asserting themselves in possession, while still looking dangerous on the counter, although both teams did not have many clear-cut chances. Sophomore forward Madison Clemens had the best chance in the first 15 minutes in the second half, as she was close to catching Mastroianni off her line, but the BC keeper recovered well to keep the score tied. BC freshman center back Casey Morrison did an admirable job in her first collegiate game to limit the Terriers’ chances in the final third, and slowly Boston College began asserting itself, requiring Binns to make fantastic saves off of Mewis, and her biggest save of the game against sophomore forward Gibby Wagner halfway through the second half.
Towards the end of the second half, it looked like the Terriers were sitting back, but BU senior midfielder Brittany Heist had a chance in the 81st minute. Two minutes later, McCaffery and Mewis almost connected to take the lead. Both senior backs for BU, Cords and Donnelly, did well absorbing pressure from BC’s star-studded offensive lineups, and neither team could connect on chances in a far more even second half, sending the game into overtime.
Both teams came out strong, looking to record their first win of 2011, as Luscinski made a great run down the left flank before crossing a perfect ball to freshman forward Taylor Krebs, who connected on a full volley right into the chest of Mastroianni.
The first and only corner of the game was in the 94th minute, as Mewis played a ball into the box that BU senior forward Tiya Gallegos headed out of danger. BU continued to play great possession, as a great through ball by sophomore back Erin Mullen, was unlucky not to connect with Gallegos as the turf surface at Newton Soccer Field was still slick from the heavy rain before the game, and the ball skipped away before she could connect a shot. The second half of overtime was limited to chances by Luscinski and Mewis, before the referee blew the final whistle, ending in a tie in an exciting first contest of the season for both teams.
Postgame Quotes
Boston University Head Coach Nancy Feldman
“We’re pretty even, and they (Boston College) did very well last year. I think we gave them the best game they had in the NCAA Tournament up until the College Cup. I think we’re looking for the same level of recognition that they’ve gotten outside of this area. We’re for real. The recognition … it’s coming. We’ll just keep trying to do it on the field and play against some of the best games in the country like Washington and Portland and take care of business in our other matches.”
Feldman on the number of subs:
“Players earn time in preseason, they earn time by the work they did during the summer. Some of it was early in the season, we wanted to do assessment, who can do what, and the only way you can do that play them on game day. Even with the number of subs, I think both teams were pretty spent.”
Boston University senior forward and Our Game Magazine Player of the Game Jessica Luscinski
“The BU/BC game is always huge for us. You can just feel it in the atmosphere when you walk anywhere near the stadium. It was a great game. It was our first game. It was nice to come out and have a good result. Yes, we would’ve loved to win like every game. We’re going to learn a lot from this game and apply it to the rest of the season.”
Luscinski on her goal:
“Kylie Strom took her dribble, got the foul, which was fantastic, and I just lined up and was in shooting range and knew it was time for me to step up and take it.”
Luscinski on BU’s possession game:
“That’s something that we like to categorize ourselves as a possession team. It was great to see against an organized team and a highly competitive team.”
Boston College Head Coach Alison Foley:
"I think if you feel a bit disappointed in a result, it's always nice to know that you have a game in less than 48 hours. They're hungry. We did some OK things in spurts. Certainly it wasn't our best performance collectively as a group so it's always nice to have another game to get out there and do it again."
Foley on the BC/BU rivalry:
"Every year, regardless of who's up or who's down, it's a rivalry. It's down the road from us. A lot of kids look at BC; some of the kids look at BU. It's not just a soccer rivalry, I think it's an institution rivalry, so at times, it was a stalwart. It was more of a battle. It wasn't probably the best soccer game. necesarilly for either progrm, but it was two teams in a local derby."
Boston College junior midfielder Kristie Mewis:
“It’s definitely a little bit frustrating because we know we can play better. BU is obviously a great team. I think we all know that we’re a little bit better than that. We always go through tough times like every team does so I think it’s just motivation for us, and hopefully we can get a win against Fairfield on Sunday.”
Boston College keeper Jillian Mastroianni:
"We knew it was going to be a battle. I think we need to get ourselves together. We have tomorrow to focus on what we did wrong here and then get the win on Sunday. We need to do better than that. We talked about it. Everybody needs to take responsibilities for themselves. We can't point fingers. I don't think anyone had a great game. I think everyone needs to take personal responsibility and evaluate themselves and say what can they do better because out of conference, we need to go undefeated. In the ACC, every game's a tough game. No game's going to be easy, so we need to get it together real quick, and we need to fix it."
Up next for Boston College: Sunday, Aug. 21, at home vs. Fairfield
Up next for Boston University: Sunday, Aug. 21, at home vs. Northeastern
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Game Preview
In the past few years, the Boston College (ranked 5th in OGM’s College Preview)/Boston University rivalry, also known as The Green Line Rivalry has scaled to new heights in women’s soccer. The competition already fits the word rivalry for the simple fact that the two schools are in the same city, about 12 miles apart from each other. This whole idea started in the late 1800s with the two hockey programs, which have been perennial powerhouses over the years.
The first time these two teams played each other in varsity collegiate action was 1996, which resulted in a 3-1 overtime win for the the BU Terriers. Over the years, the series has been quite lopsided with the BC Eagles leading with 9 regular season wins out of 13 matches, but seven of the last nine games have been decided by one goal or less. The last time BU beat BC came on Sept. 25, 2006, a 1-0 win in overtime. In their last regular season meeting, BC came away with a 1-0 win. When it comes to NCAA Tournament play, the stats don’t look too much different, with BC advancing after all three match-ups.
The last time these two teams met was last season in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. A 2-1 BC victory, with goals from juniors Victoria DiMartino and Julia Bouchelle, set the tone for a run through the tournament that saw the team’s first-ever College Cup appearance.
This year, two different sides look to take the field as new faces get to experience this in-city rivalry on both their opening days. BC has lost graduated-seniors Hannah Cerrone, Chelsea Regan, Amy Caldwell and Brooke Knowlton, but brought in freshmen with youth national team experience in Casey Morrison and Stephanie McCaffrey. The Eagles are paced by a dangerous attack of Mac Hermann Trophy Watch List selections Kristie Mewis (midfield) and Victoria DiMartino (forward), who joined keeper Jillian Mastroianni on the Soccer America Preseason All-America Team.
BU, the unanimous pick to win the America East Conference this year, has lost Corie Halasz, Lisa Kevorkian, Shauna Kelleher and Lilly Albin to graduation, but brought in Ariana Aston, Anna Cuffia, Dara DeMatteo, Taylor Krebs, Katherine Li, Kai Miller, and Jamie Turchi. The Terriers will rely on senior Jessica Luscinkski, who finished second in America East last fall with 12 goals and 7 assist for 31 points. In goal, BU has a dual threat and returns Kelly King, the 2010 America East Rookie of the Year, as well as senior Alice Binns, the America East Goalkeeper of the Year.
In addition to featuring youth national team players, both rosters include players from successful clubs such as the Boston Aztecs of the Women’s Premier Soccer League (WPSL), and youth club, the Dallas Texans.
Though BC has had the upper hand in past games against BU, a rivalry between two teams has proven that anything can happen on any given day. Join us as we report live from Newton, Mass. this Friday for what looks to be a great opening match for women’s soccer fans in Boston.
Boston College Head Coach Alison Foley
"Every BC/BU game always has a lot of hype around it and tons of energy. They've been cross-city rivals of ours for a decade. We're prepared for an athletic battle. It's a great way to open up the season. We'll experiment with a couple different systems. It's a great first opponent, so we're going to get challenged. We've had players who have stepped up (in the preseason). This is a great test."
Follow on Twitter: OurGameLive
Post Game report: www.ourgamemagazine.com
Time: 4 p.m. ET
Location: Boston College - Newton, Mass.
Game Report
Final: 1-1
1st Half
BU: 1 - Jessica Luscinski (24')
BC: 1 - Victoria DiMartino (40')
By Ciara McCormack
Torrential downpour delayed the start of the first game of familiar foes Boston University and Boston College. However, once the game started, Boston University surprisingly were the team that looked to be the better one, despite Boston College’s No. 4 ranking. Boston University lined up with a surprising three back, with senior captain Lina Cords anchoring the defensive line. Strong play from Cords and senior Katherine Donnelly, limited Boston College’s chances for the first part of the game to long range efforts from BC’s All-American midfielder Kristie Mewis, which both sailed over the bar.
While BU owned the majority of the possession, with sophomore center mids Kylie Strom and Emma Clark winning balls well in the air, and distributing effectively on the ground, BU lacked the final pass. BU looked to be the stronger team, but on the other end, Boston College looked dangerous on the counter attack with freshman forward Stephanie McCaffrey and junior forward Vicki DiMartino leading the way, and with Mewis supporting behind.
BU took a well-deserved lead in the 24th minute, when Our Game Magazine’s Player of the Game, senior midfielder Jessica Luscinski ripped a free kick from about 25 yards out into the center of the net, past senior keeper Jillian Mastroianni. Luscinski was unlucky to not get a PK call a few minutes later as she looked to be taken down in the box, but the referee waved play on.
Halfway through the first half, BU Coach Nancy Feldman began making wholesale substitutions. This seemed to affect the Terriers momentum, and as the first half neared a close, although BU still looked to be the stronger side, BC began looked more dangerous than it had in a surprisingly quiet first half. Against the run of play in the 40th minute, BU was unlucky, as sophomore keeper Kelly King looked to have possession of a ball that came over the top. As she stood holding the ball, sophomore defender Emma Caringello, who had tracked DiMartino into the box, was unfortunate to run into Kelly. Kelly who was injured on the play, dropped the ball and DiMartino was the lucky recipient of an open net, which she finished to tie the score at 1-1. The injured Kelly, who had had a solid game to that point, subsequently was subbed by senior keeper Alice Binns, who finished the rest of the game in net for the Terriers.
The second half began with more even play, as the Eagles began asserting themselves in possession, while still looking dangerous on the counter, although both teams did not have many clear-cut chances. Sophomore forward Madison Clemens had the best chance in the first 15 minutes in the second half, as she was close to catching Mastroianni off her line, but the BC keeper recovered well to keep the score tied. BC freshman center back Casey Morrison did an admirable job in her first collegiate game to limit the Terriers’ chances in the final third, and slowly Boston College began asserting itself, requiring Binns to make fantastic saves off of Mewis, and her biggest save of the game against sophomore forward Gibby Wagner halfway through the second half.
Towards the end of the second half, it looked like the Terriers were sitting back, but BU senior midfielder Brittany Heist had a chance in the 81st minute. Two minutes later, McCaffery and Mewis almost connected to take the lead. Both senior backs for BU, Cords and Donnelly, did well absorbing pressure from BC’s star-studded offensive lineups, and neither team could connect on chances in a far more even second half, sending the game into overtime.
Both teams came out strong, looking to record their first win of 2011, as Luscinski made a great run down the left flank before crossing a perfect ball to freshman forward Taylor Krebs, who connected on a full volley right into the chest of Mastroianni.
The first and only corner of the game was in the 94th minute, as Mewis played a ball into the box that BU senior forward Tiya Gallegos headed out of danger. BU continued to play great possession, as a great through ball by sophomore back Erin Mullen, was unlucky not to connect with Gallegos as the turf surface at Newton Soccer Field was still slick from the heavy rain before the game, and the ball skipped away before she could connect a shot. The second half of overtime was limited to chances by Luscinski and Mewis, before the referee blew the final whistle, ending in a tie in an exciting first contest of the season for both teams.
Postgame Quotes
Boston University Head Coach Nancy Feldman
“We’re pretty even, and they (Boston College) did very well last year. I think we gave them the best game they had in the NCAA Tournament up until the College Cup. I think we’re looking for the same level of recognition that they’ve gotten outside of this area. We’re for real. The recognition … it’s coming. We’ll just keep trying to do it on the field and play against some of the best games in the country like Washington and Portland and take care of business in our other matches.”
Feldman on the number of subs:
“Players earn time in preseason, they earn time by the work they did during the summer. Some of it was early in the season, we wanted to do assessment, who can do what, and the only way you can do that play them on game day. Even with the number of subs, I think both teams were pretty spent.”
Boston University senior forward and Our Game Magazine Player of the Game Jessica Luscinski
“The BU/BC game is always huge for us. You can just feel it in the atmosphere when you walk anywhere near the stadium. It was a great game. It was our first game. It was nice to come out and have a good result. Yes, we would’ve loved to win like every game. We’re going to learn a lot from this game and apply it to the rest of the season.”
Luscinski on her goal:
“Kylie Strom took her dribble, got the foul, which was fantastic, and I just lined up and was in shooting range and knew it was time for me to step up and take it.”
Luscinski on BU’s possession game:
“That’s something that we like to categorize ourselves as a possession team. It was great to see against an organized team and a highly competitive team.”
Boston College Head Coach Alison Foley:
"I think if you feel a bit disappointed in a result, it's always nice to know that you have a game in less than 48 hours. They're hungry. We did some OK things in spurts. Certainly it wasn't our best performance collectively as a group so it's always nice to have another game to get out there and do it again."
Foley on the BC/BU rivalry:
"Every year, regardless of who's up or who's down, it's a rivalry. It's down the road from us. A lot of kids look at BC; some of the kids look at BU. It's not just a soccer rivalry, I think it's an institution rivalry, so at times, it was a stalwart. It was more of a battle. It wasn't probably the best soccer game. necesarilly for either progrm, but it was two teams in a local derby."
Boston College junior midfielder Kristie Mewis:
“It’s definitely a little bit frustrating because we know we can play better. BU is obviously a great team. I think we all know that we’re a little bit better than that. We always go through tough times like every team does so I think it’s just motivation for us, and hopefully we can get a win against Fairfield on Sunday.”
Boston College keeper Jillian Mastroianni:
"We knew it was going to be a battle. I think we need to get ourselves together. We have tomorrow to focus on what we did wrong here and then get the win on Sunday. We need to do better than that. We talked about it. Everybody needs to take responsibilities for themselves. We can't point fingers. I don't think anyone had a great game. I think everyone needs to take personal responsibility and evaluate themselves and say what can they do better because out of conference, we need to go undefeated. In the ACC, every game's a tough game. No game's going to be easy, so we need to get it together real quick, and we need to fix it."
Up next for Boston College: Sunday, Aug. 21, at home vs. Fairfield
Up next for Boston University: Sunday, Aug. 21, at home vs. Northeastern
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Game Preview
In the past few years, the Boston College (ranked 5th in OGM’s College Preview)/Boston University rivalry, also known as The Green Line Rivalry has scaled to new heights in women’s soccer. The competition already fits the word rivalry for the simple fact that the two schools are in the same city, about 12 miles apart from each other. This whole idea started in the late 1800s with the two hockey programs, which have been perennial powerhouses over the years.
The first time these two teams played each other in varsity collegiate action was 1996, which resulted in a 3-1 overtime win for the the BU Terriers. Over the years, the series has been quite lopsided with the BC Eagles leading with 9 regular season wins out of 13 matches, but seven of the last nine games have been decided by one goal or less. The last time BU beat BC came on Sept. 25, 2006, a 1-0 win in overtime. In their last regular season meeting, BC came away with a 1-0 win. When it comes to NCAA Tournament play, the stats don’t look too much different, with BC advancing after all three match-ups.
The last time these two teams met was last season in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. A 2-1 BC victory, with goals from juniors Victoria DiMartino and Julia Bouchelle, set the tone for a run through the tournament that saw the team’s first-ever College Cup appearance.
This year, two different sides look to take the field as new faces get to experience this in-city rivalry on both their opening days. BC has lost graduated-seniors Hannah Cerrone, Chelsea Regan, Amy Caldwell and Brooke Knowlton, but brought in freshmen with youth national team experience in Casey Morrison and Stephanie McCaffrey. The Eagles are paced by a dangerous attack of Mac Hermann Trophy Watch List selections Kristie Mewis (midfield) and Victoria DiMartino (forward), who joined keeper Jillian Mastroianni on the Soccer America Preseason All-America Team.
BU, the unanimous pick to win the America East Conference this year, has lost Corie Halasz, Lisa Kevorkian, Shauna Kelleher and Lilly Albin to graduation, but brought in Ariana Aston, Anna Cuffia, Dara DeMatteo, Taylor Krebs, Katherine Li, Kai Miller, and Jamie Turchi. The Terriers will rely on senior Jessica Luscinkski, who finished second in America East last fall with 12 goals and 7 assist for 31 points. In goal, BU has a dual threat and returns Kelly King, the 2010 America East Rookie of the Year, as well as senior Alice Binns, the America East Goalkeeper of the Year.
In addition to featuring youth national team players, both rosters include players from successful clubs such as the Boston Aztecs of the Women’s Premier Soccer League (WPSL), and youth club, the Dallas Texans.
Though BC has had the upper hand in past games against BU, a rivalry between two teams has proven that anything can happen on any given day. Join us as we report live from Newton, Mass. this Friday for what looks to be a great opening match for women’s soccer fans in Boston.
Boston College Head Coach Alison Foley
"Every BC/BU game always has a lot of hype around it and tons of energy. They've been cross-city rivals of ours for a decade. We're prepared for an athletic battle. It's a great way to open up the season. We'll experiment with a couple different systems. It's a great first opponent, so we're going to get challenged. We've had players who have stepped up (in the preseason). This is a great test."
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