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MIT Women's Soccer Upends UMass Dartmouth 2-0
The MIT Women's Soccer Team got back to their winning ways on Tuesday with a 2-0 victory over the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth (0-2). With the victory, MIT improves its record to 3-1 on the year.
The team shook off a sluggish first half -- in which it dominated possession and shots on goal, but was unable knock any balls home -- with two second half goals to seal the victory. Played on the UMass Dartmouth campus, the game was deadlocked at nil-nil well into the second half until freshman forward Liz
Theurer continued her goal scoring prowess when she headed home the game winning goal. The goal was Liz?s fourth of the year and her third game winning goal in four games this year.
Junior midfielder Janine Hopmans triggered the goal when she took down a long lofted ball from senior midfielder Andrea Staid and bore down on goal just inside the area. Janine's shot was turned aside by the UMass Dartmouth keeper, but Liz was there to jump on the rebound and head it by her.
Senior midfielder Andrea Staid put the game out of reach a short time later with a driven blast into the top of the net after she streaked down the field and was fed the ball in a wide open position by junior striker Amy Ludlum. Amy made a long run with the ball onto the left flank, isolating the sole UMass Dartmouth defender, and then cut a pass back to Dre, who had broken past a recovering backline and slipped in for a breakaway goal.
The women played well despite the at times frustrating run of play and were able to take care of business. The defense backline of senior captain Mary Harding, senior Chi-Fong Wang, junior Karen Davie and sophomore Jody Wu were stellar all game, communicating well and remaining organized. The few chances that UMass Dartmouth had were thwarted by the backline's strong shape and recovery.
Senior captain goalkeeper Kat Vater benefited from her defense's strong protection and was able to pick up her first win of the year. She saved several tough shots, including a dangerous free kick on frame from just outside the 18-yard box in the second half and an awkward lofted ball on net that caromed off the cross bar. She collected her first shutout of the 2006 campaign with the win.
Freshman midfielder Katie Pesce defended aggressively all day tracking back often to halt numerous UMass Dartmouth attacks. She also sent forward several excellent through balls to strikers, including several that Amy was able to collect and shoot on net, only to be stopped by good saves.
Midfielders sophomore Andrea Bradshaw and sophomore Kat Routhier contributed to the win with their hustle and hard play. Freshman Julia Roberts came off the bench to contribute both in the midfield and up top as a striker.
***Player of the Match***
The team tabbed sophomore outside back Jodie Wu as player of the match for her stellar effort in helping the team preserve the shutout victory over UMass Dartmouth. With many of the opponents best chances coming down the flank, Jodie was just too quick for them to beat and get any real threats on goal. Jodie also continued her effectiveness getting forward out of the backline eating up chunks of space when the ball was switched through the back to her on the opposite side. She is also awarded an honorary assist on the second goal for her trademark high pitched call for the ball, which first alerted Amy to the fact that Dre had slipped in unmarked behind the UMass line.
***NEWMAC Player of the Week***
Freshman Liz Theurer was named NEWMAC Player of the Week in women's soccer after a sensational effort in the Engineers' 4-0 victory against Simmons College last week. Theurer is the first MIT rookie to earn weekly league honors in the history of the program.
Theurer, who scored the game-winning goal in Tech's season-opening win against Brandeis, scored the first two goals - including another game-winner - in Tech's victory over the Sharks. Theurer added an assist on the third goal of the match before making an early exit from the match. Through three games this season, Theurer leads the Engineers with three goals and seven points.
--MJD
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