Defense proves key to men and women’s soccer success this season

Despite a somewhat rocky start to the season, the women’s soccer team has stabilized their record, tallying more wins than losses with a current record of 6-4.

With a total of five wins at Carl Dale Memorial Field, the Fighting Scots have yet to lose a home match.† Though they have come close, specifically against Washington & Jefferson, where the Scots squeaked by with a 1-0 victory.

It took the Scots 54 minutes to put the ball in the net when Mary Riney ’12 managed to put a shot past the W&J goalie. This goal marked Riney’s fourth of the season.

Much of the women’s soccer’s success is due to consistent, solid performances by the team’s defense. The win against W&J resulted in the defense’s third shutout in four games.

Later in the week the Scots gained another impressive victory against John Carroll University. The Scots defense once again took center stage when they held John Carroll to zero goals for over 80 minutes only giving up a goal after the Scots’ Erika Kay ’14 gave Wooster the lead with her third goal of the season.

Unfortunately, John Carroll managed to tie up the match when Rachel Grdina ’11 managed to knock in a corner kick from teammate Val Korb ’11.

Fortunately for the Scot’s, Paige Piper ’13 scored in overtime thanks to an assist from Kay ’14. This goal marked Piper’s fifth of the season.

Despite winning two straights games the Scots could not manage a third consecutive win. Even though the Fighting Scot’s offense took twice as many shots as Misericordia University the Scots fell in overtime in a 1-0 loss last Saturday.

Miscericordia’s goalkeeper Morgan Myers ’11 deflected several Wooster shot attempts in the second half, taking the game into overtime.

Only minutes into overtime Jenica Keister headed a corner past the Wooster keeper giving Misericordia their consecutive shutout victory.

Unfortunately for the Scots, their losing streak would continue on Tuesday night with a devestating 2-1 loss to Walsh University. Despit taking the lead with a goal from Kay ’14 early in the second halfthe Scots were unable to get a victory.

Walsh’s offense scored two goals in the final ten minutes of play. Mollie Vanover put the cavaliers on the board with an impressive header off of a corner from Lauren Jokovich.

Only mintues later Rachel Ruckergave Walsh the lead for good with a rebound goal after Molly Martain’s shot from the left side was defelcted by Michele Ring ’13. Despite the loss Ring ’13 had a very impressive game in goal with 4 saves keeping the Scots within striking distance for the entire game.

The lady Scots will continue their homestand on Saturday in a match against NCAC rival Hiram College.

The men’s team remains undefeated after tying 0-0 in a defensive battle with Allegheny College last weekend in Meadville, Pa.

Goalie Taylor Takas ’12 reached a career high 12 saves against the Scots first NCAC opponet of the season.This impressive performance gave Takacs five career games with double digit saves.

The Scots took 12 shots on goal although none of them were successful. This defensive battle comes as no surprise given that Wooster has not given up more than two goals in any one game this season.

On Saturday the Scots will continue NCAC play against Wittenberg University.