Courtesy of Rochester Athletic Communications
Women’s soccer embarked on their first major road trip of the season last weekend, travelling to the Midwest to take on a pair of University Athletic Association rivals.
On Friday, Oct. 18, the ‘Jackets visited the University of Chicago before travelling south to St. Louis to take on Washington University on Sunday, Oct. 20.
Coming into the weekend, UR had failed to score a goal in 251 minutes, dating back to Oct. 1.
While the team was able to pick up their offense against Chicago and Washington, it was not enough to win either game.
In the weekend’s first match in the Windy City, both teams failed to score in the first half. This scoreless trend was nothing new for UR. In addition to their long scoring drought, the team had also not allowed a goal since Sept. 24.
In the second half, Rochester sophomore defender Katie Grasso knocked in her first career goal in the 49th minute, giving UR a 1-0 lead. Within five minutes, however, Chicago would equalize after a scramble in front the net.
The teams played to a 1-1 tie into the 76th minute, when Chicago’s Julia Ozello scored, giving the home team a 2-1 advantage, a lead they would not give up on their way to victory.
After a travel day on Saturday, Oct. 19, the YellowJackets took the pitch against Washington University, the second-ranked team in the country.
The home team’s reputation as one of the best in Division III did not appear to intimidate the ‘Jackets, however, who never allowed Washington to get fully comfortable.
The difference in the game would prove to be the way the teams started each half. Within 90 seconds in both the first and second periods, the Bears were able to score, earning the momentum they needed to avoid the upset.
Goals from seniors Jessica Smith and Kathryn Rowe were insufficient for the ‘Jackets, who dropped the game 4-2.
The loss brings the team to 5-5-3 on the season, with only four matches remaining.
Up next for Rochester will be the Houghton College Highlanders, who will travel to Edwin Fauver Stadium for a match on Saturday, Oct. 26 at 4:30 p.m.
Shapiro is a member of the class of 2016.
