Women's soccer wins twice, then falls to Niagara in semis
Rich Arleo
Issue date: 11/5/09 Section: Sports
After failing to meet expectations for much of the regular season, the Marist women's soccer team showed just how good they can be at the 2009 MAAC tournament this weekend at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.
Marist defeated Saint Peter's 5-0 in the first round; then upset the No. 2 seeded Siena Saints in the quarterfinals by a score of 1-0. The Foxes were three minutes away from advancing to the finals against Loyola until Niagara tied the score in their semifinal matchup at 1-1. The Foxes fell in overtime to Niagara, but certainly made sure that no teams forgot about Marist heading into next season.
"Every coach there did not expect that from us, they thought we were dead," Roper said. "I think we managed the team as well as we could through three games and had good results for the three games in four days.
In Marist's 5-0 victory over the Peahens, senior Kate Fox became Marist's all-time leader in goals and points with 26 and 61, respectively. She and freshman Jackie Frey each had two goals in the match.
"Of course, to have Kate Fox break the career goals and points record in the Saint Peter's game, there was a lot of positive feelings in regards to that," Roper said. "It was good to come off that game and we were able to rest some players late in the game as well. That helped us with the next few games."
In their quarterfinal matchup on Friday against Siena, Marist managed the 1-0 upset behind solid defensive play and a timely goal from junior Amy Tillotson off an assist from senior Alexandra Lauterborn.
"Against Siena we just played one of the best games collectively for 90 minutes that we played all season," Roper said. "As much as they knew not to underestimate us, the Siena coach told his players not to underestimate us, but we just really came out and commanded that game. We played very well."
In what would turn out to be the final game of 2009 for Marist, the Foxes controlled Niagara and held a 1-0 lead until, with just three minutes left in the match, Niagara tied the game with a goal by Michelle Emery in the 87th minute. Fatigue seemed to set in for Marist once overtime hit, and Niagara was able to cap off a 2-1 victory.
Marist defeated Saint Peter's 5-0 in the first round; then upset the No. 2 seeded Siena Saints in the quarterfinals by a score of 1-0. The Foxes were three minutes away from advancing to the finals against Loyola until Niagara tied the score in their semifinal matchup at 1-1. The Foxes fell in overtime to Niagara, but certainly made sure that no teams forgot about Marist heading into next season.
"Every coach there did not expect that from us, they thought we were dead," Roper said. "I think we managed the team as well as we could through three games and had good results for the three games in four days.
In Marist's 5-0 victory over the Peahens, senior Kate Fox became Marist's all-time leader in goals and points with 26 and 61, respectively. She and freshman Jackie Frey each had two goals in the match.
"Of course, to have Kate Fox break the career goals and points record in the Saint Peter's game, there was a lot of positive feelings in regards to that," Roper said. "It was good to come off that game and we were able to rest some players late in the game as well. That helped us with the next few games."
In their quarterfinal matchup on Friday against Siena, Marist managed the 1-0 upset behind solid defensive play and a timely goal from junior Amy Tillotson off an assist from senior Alexandra Lauterborn.
"Against Siena we just played one of the best games collectively for 90 minutes that we played all season," Roper said. "As much as they knew not to underestimate us, the Siena coach told his players not to underestimate us, but we just really came out and commanded that game. We played very well."
In what would turn out to be the final game of 2009 for Marist, the Foxes controlled Niagara and held a 1-0 lead until, with just three minutes left in the match, Niagara tied the game with a goal by Michelle Emery in the 87th minute. Fatigue seemed to set in for Marist once overtime hit, and Niagara was able to cap off a 2-1 victory.
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