Three days after tallying their first loss of the season against a tough 24th-ranked William Smith College, the UR women’s soccer team traveled to Schenectady, N.Y. to take on the Union College Dutchwomen, most recently slated at 12th in Division III. Unfortunately, the ‘Jackets were unable to take advantage of multiple scoring opportunities and dropped their second straight game in a 3-0 decision.
Union drew first blood eight minutes into the game, capitalizing on a corner kick opportunity. Down by one, the Yellowjackets poured on the offensive pressure, amounting four shots on goal and three corners in the first half.
Sophomore forward Erin Carballo had a chance to tie the game with a little over five minutes left in the half when opportunity presented with an open net, but Union’s junior defender Sarah Wilson came across at the last second and kicked the ball away. As a result, the ‘Jackets went into halftime trailing 1-0.
In the second half, the Yellowjackets came out charged and aggressive, but again they were unable to take advantage of their opportunities. Unfortunately for UR, the Dutchwomen were able to capitalize, scoring two more goals in a three-minute period to take a three-goal lead. Still not letting up, the ‘Jackets compiled 10 corners in the second half alone. Despite their best efforts, however, shots seemed to sail just wide of the goal or into the arms of Union sophomore goalie Melissa McDonald. One of the best opportunities for UR came in the 72nd minute when sophomore midfielder Eileen Boylan got her head on a cross. The ball sailed just wide of the near post.
Eight minutes later, UR was at it again with a corner opportunity. Sophomore midfielder Mae Butler sent the ball into the box where it bounced around in front of the goal until kicked out by a Union defender, resulting in another corner. Again the ball was played into Union’s box, but this time McDonald was able to get a handle on it and clear the ball.
Leading the Yellowjackets were freshman starting forward Bridgette Varin and junior starting defender Kelsey Turley, who had four and three shots, respectively. Senior goalie Molly Leitch had one save in 90 minutes of play.
On Tuesday, the 25th-ranked Yellowjackets traveled down the road to take on the Rochester Institute of Technology Tigers. On a two game losing skid, the women hoped to rebound against a 2-3-1 RIT team that had never beaten the ‘Jackets in women’s soccer.
RIT opened the scoring 15 minutes in. The Jackets evened the score less than 15 minutes later when Carballo received a pass from senior midfielder/forward Ali Streeter and scored.
RIT again opened the scoring in the second when Traversi was able to put the ball past Leitch off a pass from junior Erica Main nine minutes in. The rest of the half, the ‘Jackets maintained the ball in the RIT zone, coming up with two corners and three shots on goal. There was a close call for the Tigers with a little under five minutes left, when the Yellowjackets sent a cross into a crowded box. The ball was batted around for several seconds, resulting in many scoring opportunities for UR, before RIT junior goalie Ashley Conti was able to get a handle on the ball. But despite their best efforts and holding the Lady Tigers to no corners and one shot on goal in the second half, the ‘Jackets were unable to walk away with a victory, dropping their third straight game.
UR totaled eight shots on goal and four corners in the game. Leading UR was Carballo off the bench, who had two shots and the lone Rochester goal. A number of UR players also registered a shot on goal.
The team returns to Fauver Stadium for their home opener on Monday, hosting 0-5-1 Alfred University at 7 p.m. and then gets into University Athletic Association competition the following weekend, traveling to Brandeis to take on the Judges on Saturday. The ‘Jackets are now 3-3.
Hilfinger is a member of the class of 2010.
