The Stony Brook Women’s soccer team posted a 1-1 record for the week of October 1st to October 7th. After earning a victory against UMBC, the Seawolves took a loss to Maine in double-overtime. The two games brought the Seawolves to an overall record of 7-5-1, with 2-2-0 record in conference play.
On October 1st, the Seawolves traveled to Baltimore MD, to take on the Retrievers at the UMBC. After a demanding pre-season schedule, the Retrievers had lost their conference opener, while the Seawolves won their first game of the regular season. With the momentum, the Seawolves were ready to capitalize on a struggling Retriever team.
The Seawolves got off to a good start as they broke open the scoreboard in the 35th minute with an out swinging corner kick by Trine Allenberg. Kristin Mishrell settled the ball outside of the penalty area and passed it to Jackie Timmes who was alone inside the box. Timmes easily fired a shot from 12 yards out into the bottom right corner of the net. It was Timmes’ first goal of her collegiate career and proved to be the difference in the score.
After been down 0-1, the Retrievers played more aggressively in the second half, which made an already physical game erupt. Throughout play, 5 yellow cards were given out to players on both sides, two of which went to UMBC’s Nicole Krause, who left the field in the 71st minute.
The Seawolves took control of the game after that and kept UMBC off the scoreboard till the end. Starting goalie, Marisa Viola made seven saves in her second consecutive shutout while Timmes’ goal gave Mishrell her second game-winning assist of the season.
Last Thursday, Stony Brook took on the nationally ranked University of Maine at Kenneth P. LaValle Stadium. The Seawolves put on a good fight, only to have their efforts fall short in the last minute of double-overtime.
The Blackbears got off to an early lead in the 32nd minute when Marie-Michele Bouchard took advantage of a scramble in the 6 yard box. Marisa Viola saved the close distance shot from Laura Harper, but Harper collected her own rebound and fired another shot that deflected off the left post. This time, Bouchard was there to control the ball and blast it into the net.
Coming out of the locker room for the second half, the Seawolves quickly tied the game up at one apiece in the 50th minute. Brooke Barbuto slipped a pass through the Maine defensive line to Kate Collins at the top of the penalty box. Collins fired a powerful shot on goal from the left side of the box. The Blackbears keeper got a hand on the ball, but it wasn’t enough to stop the ball as it dribbled into the net.
Both team battled neck and neck though the remainder of regulation play and heading into the extra period. Just as the players and fans alike began to think the game was going to end in a draw, the Blackbears stole the win with a last minute goal.
With less than 10 seconds to play, the Blackbears was awarded a throw-in just over 30 yards out. After the long throw, Di Ielsi pushed forward and fired a shot from 5 yards out. The ball deflected off a Seawolves defender and past the reach of a diving Viola leaving the Seawolves to accept a heartbreaking defeat.
In both games the Seawolves used their wing play to create many good chances; however, they need to capitalize on their chances to convert them into goals. In the game against Maine, the Seawolves played well for 109 minutes, but lost their concentration at the last second, which cost them the game. The experience they gained during these games will prove to be valuable on their road to the playoffs, if they can take advantage of it.
Currently in 4th place in America East Conference standings, the Seawolves look to improve their rank when they travel to New Hampshire this week to face the Wildcats on Thursday, October 12th.
