George Washington University
<b>St. Bonaventure*</b>
Women's Soccer Defeats St. Bonaventure
10/15/2006 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Oct. 15, 2006
WASHINGTON, DC -The George Washington women's soccer team ended their two-week, four-game home stand on Sunday afternoon, downing St. Bonaventure 2-1 in an Atlantic 10 Conference contest. The Colonials split their four games at Mount Vernon, winning their match-ups against both Richmond and St. Bonaventure (1-12-1, 0-5-0), but dropped games against Charlotte (in double-overtime) and Fordham. With the victory, George Washington improved to 9-7-0 overall, 2-4-0 in the A-10.
GW entered today's match knowing that a win would be the only acceptable outcome, and their intensity and early play reflected that urgency. In the first half, the Colonial defense held the Bonnies to just one shot on goal. "I was so impressed with the play of Shari Taylor and Molly Eckert today," Head Coach Tanya Vogel said after the game. "Those two seniors really anchored our defense all game." For Eckert, it was her first start of the season.
The Colonials got on the board first, scoring in the 35th minute. Freshman Brittany Eger sent a cross into the box, just in front of the goal. Sophomore Stephanie Covello one-timed the pass and drilled it into the center of net for her third goal of the year.
The slim lead held until shortly after halftime. St. Bonaventure managed to earn the equalizer in the 53rd minute when Leah Oleski took a loose ball just inside the box and chipped it up and over the head of GW keeper Amie Kern.
With the match now even at one goal apiece, the Colonials, who out-shot the Bonnies 11-6, increased their offensive attacks, desperate to tally the game-winner. It eventually came in the 61st minute. Red shirt freshman Simone Russo, playing the ball on the far right side of the field, sent a pass all the way through the box to Dara Rosen. The freshman from Maryland gathered the ball and slipped it past the keeper and into the bottom left corner of the net. It was her fourth goal of the season and her second game-winning shot.
GW was able to keep that one goal lead and shutout out St. Bonaventure for the final 29:30. The swarming defense and constantly attacking offense was truly a team effort. "I was very happy with the play from the girls who came off the bench, notably Stephanie [Covello], Emily Gower, and Brittany [Eger]," said Vogel.
George Washington will look to carry the win into this weekend's matches - they play at Dayton on Friday and at Xavier on Sunday. Vogel said that her team knows they need wins, but are not looking too far ahead. "Right now, we're just taking it one game at a time. I think that this game will help us set the tone for the weekend."
Friday's game at Dayton is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
