University of Rochester women’s soccer team has been on a defensive roll as of late. Through their last nine games, the Yellowjackets have allowed just one goal while improving to a 7-0-1 record through those games. The Yellowjackets are ranked number one in the country this week, as they continue to prove it week in and week out.
The Big Apples were rotten after a visit from the Yellowjackets last Friday, as the UR women’s soccer team dominated NYU for an easy victory in Manhattan. It was as if the Yankees were playing against a bunch of little leaguers; as less than three minutes into the game, the Yellowjackets were on the board. Off of a beautiful corner kick from junior midfielder Laura Morrison, senior midfielder Ashley Weagraff hit the back of net for the first time this year as Rochester took the 1-0 lead. Not even three minutes later, Morrison received an assist from sophomore midfielder Laura Bojko, who later scored at the 22 minute mark. The Yellowjackets capped off a brilliant first half when senior forward Angela Heaney headed one past the keeper, taking Rochester into the break with a 4-0 lead. The Yellowjackets were just plain overbearing, as they outshot NYU 21-5 (13-2 on goal) and held an 8-1 advantage on corner kicks. The second half wasn’t any different, as junior forward Ali Streeter tagged another goal from Heaney to make the final score 5-0 in favor of the ‘Jackets. Junior keeper Molly Leitch had two saves over the first 70 minutes and senior Joy Sadaly spelled Leitch for the remaining 19 minutes. This was the Yellowjacket’s seventh shutout in their last eight games, improving to 7-0-1 overall.
The Blue Knights of Geneseo certainly looked like it after last Tuesday’s match at home. Obviously not taking note that the Yellowjackets like to start fast, SUNY Geneseo quickly fell behind less than a minute into the game. Senior forward Emily Urbanczyk hit a beauty up the middle to put the Yellowjackets up 1-0 off the assist from Weagraff. But the fun didn’t stop there. Halfway through the period sophomore defender Kelsey Turley got a little luck as her shot was deflected in by a Geneseo defender. Throughout the game the Yellowjackets outshot the Blue Knights 21-6 and crushed them on corner kicks 9-1. Like always, the Yellowjackets came out of the break ready to put it away. Senior midfielder Mary Walsh hit a cross from the six-yard-line less than nine minutes into the second half off of an assist from senior forward Anne McMahon. Leitch made two saves over 84:34 and Sadaly preserved the fourth straight shutout for the Yellowjackets with a scoreless 5:26. And just for good measure, Morrison hit a shot off the top of the box off the assist from Heaney to finish off the scoring at 4-0 Yellowjackets.
The Yellowjackets open up a three game home stand starting this Saturday as they take on divisional rival Brandeis University in the first of three games against the best of the UAA. They continue on with Chicago on Oct. 13 and then Washington University the following Sunday as they look to roll through their already spectacular season.
Wang can be reached at bwang@campustimes.org.
