By By Amanda Guerriero
In the women’s soccer team’s inaugural NCAA Tournament appearance, not many people would have predicted a scoreless game at halftime against vaunted opponent West Virginia University (WVU).
However, the Pride did exactly what it does best-played solid defense and found a way to stay in the game. The Pride even held the edge in shooting, 7-6, but the first half is where the even match-up ended. The Pride faced the Mountaineers in the first round last Friday at Penn State’s campus in State College, Pa. The Mountaineers ultimately moved on after beating the Pride, 3-0, to lose to the Nittany Lions on Sunday, who advanced to the Sweet 16.
The Pride’s breakdown occurred almost immediately after halftime. The team knew it would have to be extra careful on set plays from WVU, because the Mountaineers are excellent finishers. The first two goals from the Mountaineers were a result of set plays. The first Mountaineer goal came from a long throw by Ashley Banks, who found the head of Rachel Minnich. Minnich’s header was perfectly placed on the far post for senior midfielder Marisa Kanela to slip a soft shot under diving Pride goalkeeper Becky Wachsberger. The goal came only 59 seconds into the second half, which was followed by a period of defensive breakdown.
“I believe it was kind of bad luck,” Pride senior Amber Albrecht said. “We dominated most of the game, but had a breakdown after the first goal was scored, which then gave the other team more confidence.”
Obviously the Mountaineers came out of halftime ready to go with some intention to take control and the Pride’s solid defense slowly started to melt into liquid. The offense dropped further and further back to help the defense and didn’t create the opportunities it needed.
“We had our chances to score, but couldn’t finish them,” Albrecht said. “We even had a goal, but it was called back because of offsides.”
The Pride definitely had some quality scoring opportunities in the second half, but couldn’t catch a break. Both Carol Leurini and Chrissy Arnone had breakaways that came within inches of the net. Leurini’s shot was stopped right before the goal line by Mountaineer goalkeeper Lara Bannerman. Arnone chipped a shot over Bannerman, but just outside the right post. Within a five second period, sophomore Marie Curtin hit the crossbar and the right post denying her of a goal.
Less than 15 minutes after the first goal, Banks again threw in a dangerously long ball that was knocked out by the Pride to force a corner kick, which set up the Mountaineers’ second goal. Kanela took the kick and sent it across the box where Banks was waiting to tap the insurance goal in.
WVU poured salt in the Pride’s open wounds with a little more than 18 minutes to play. After an attempted clear from a shot by Kiley Harris, Kanela found herself alone 12 yards in front of the goal and finished to the lower-right corner. Kanela’s goal was the third and last goal of the contest to ensure the win.
“Walking off the field I was upset,” Albrecht said. “I was upset because we did play our hearts out that game and I believe we should of went farther. But all good things must come to an end and I’m thrilled that the team did as well as we had done.”
Pride head coach JoAnne Russell led the team to its first NCAA bid in her final season of coaching. Russell recently announced her retirement and will be replaced by Simon Riddiough, who was the associate coach for the Pride the last four years.