Courtesy of UR Athletics
With just three games in conference-play left in the regular season, the University of Rochester women’s soccer team shut out Case Western Reserve University 4-0 on Sunday to improve its record to 6-5-1.
Of the four goals scored against the Case Western Spartans, three were netted by rookie athletes—freshmen Kerri Eden, Christina Feller and Shayna Levy had one apiece to result in the team’s biggest win since early in the 2014 season.
“The freshmen have been working really hard in practice and in games,” junior midfielder Kim Stagg said. “They have become much more confident during games and have really integrated in our style of play.”
Right from the kickoff, the ‘Jackets came out strong. Feller scored the first goal of the game—and the first of her college career—within a minute of the start. Case Western responded with an immediate shot on goal, but sophomore keeper Madilynne Lee kept the ball out of the net.
Scoring momentum slowed a bit, but with just under 10 minutes left in the first half, Case Western committed an own goal to put Rochester up 2-0. Following the goal, Eden took control of the ball in the Case Western penalty box and earned the ‘Jackets a corner before the end of the first half.
“A major team strength of the game was our confidence on the ball,” Stagg said. “We were confident in our runs and our passing, and we played with deliberate intent.”
The team confidence continued right into the second half, as Levy put forward a long shot that landed right in the corner of the net to record her inaugural goal, bringing the score to 3-0.
“My [freshman] teammates and I, along with the whole team, have worked hard all season to continually improve,” Feller said. “[We] have really great mentors and returning players to look up to and get motivated by.”
Levy’s goal was a boost to UR’s energy. Junior Jean Chakmakas and freshman Margaret Lee both nearly scored from shots on goal within two minutes of each other after putting pressure on Case Western defense.
Case Western had its only major threat to the UR defense at the 80 minute mark, as senior Case Western forwards Mackenzie Best and Rachel Hammond attacked the UR goal, but Lee held off the two consecutive shots.
However, the ‘Jackets would end the game on a high note. With just a few minutes left, Eden became Rochester’s third freshman of the game to score for the team after an assist from Stagg.
“We stepped up our level of play,” Stagg said. “Having the younger girls do so well made everyone step up their game and have the confidence to keep the level of play up.”
The winning streak continued on Wednesday afternoon as the team beat Keuka College 3-0, taking 35 shots on goal in the first 11 minutes alone.
The ‘Jackets will play again on Saturday at St. John Fisher College at 5:00 p.m.
Douglas is a member of the class of 2017.
