George Washington University
<b>Charlotte*</b>
Women's Soccer Drops Heartbreaker to Charlotte
10/8/2006 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Oct. 8, 2006
WASHINGTON, DC -After downing Richmond in overtime on Friday night, the George Washington University women's soccer team would once again need extra time in their Atlantic 10 Conference match against Charlotte. Unfortunately for the Colonials, the outcome was not the same. GW fell in double-overtime, 3-2, at Mount Vernon Field on a Sunday afternoon that was soaked with sun. For the Colonials (8-6-0, 1-3-0), the loss snapped their five-game home winning streak, their longest such streak since a seven game stretch between 2001 and 2002.
For most of the first half, George Washington controlled play, possessing the ball for a majority of time on Charlotte's side of the field. They amassed five corner kicks - and three shots - but came away empty on every trip. Despite the dominant Colonial play, it was the 49ers (8-4-2, 3-1-0) that managed to get on the scoreboard first. After a GW foul, 49er junior Lindsey Beam Ozimek lined up a set piece, sending in a bender to the far post. The assist flew to the left foot of senior Kelsie Ormsby, who volleyed the ball into the back of the net. The 1-0 Charlotte lead marked the first time that GW had trailed at home all season.
Their first deficit experienced at home in over 502 minutes of play was only made worse in the second half. After a Charlotte throw-in, the ball made its way into the box, where it was headed past Colonial keeper Amie Kern by junior Nikki Labuda for her team leading sixth goal of the season. "The set pieces really cost us today," said Assistant Coach Neel Bhattacharjee, speaking to the scouting and preparation the team had focused on during the past week.
Down by two goals with less than thirty minutes to play, GW was forced to increase their already aggressive style and even adjust their form, with Head Coach Tanya Vogel moving defender Shari Taylor to a forward position. The decision quickly paid off, as freshman Dara Rosen cut the lead in half in the 78th minute. Junior Keara Mehlert sent a cross in front of the box where Rosen met it in the air and headed it past the Charlotte keeper.
George Washington continued their furious attack on the 49ers' defense, registering eight shots in the second half. In the 87th minute, Meg Pyle played the ball into the box, crossing it to Kerry Philbin. The sophomore midfielder did the rest, sending a header into the net to tie the match at two goals apiece.
Following the remainder of regulation and the first ten-minute, sudden-death overtime, the score was still knotted at two goals apiece. The two sides, noticeably exhausted after 100 minutes of soccer, geared themselves up for another overtime period that would decide, finally, the first ever meeting between the two schools.
Unfortunately, Charlotte wasted no time, notching the Golden Goal in the 101st minute. Julie Muckle flicked the ball into the box, playing it ahead to sophomore Nikki Dumencich, who had found her way behind the Colonial defense and was able to tap it over the head of Kern. GW looked toward the linesman for an off side flag that would never come.
After the game, Bhattacharjee tried to focus on the positives of the match. "Obviously, we're disappointed, both in the outcome and the final play, but at the same time, we know this is a game to build on. We showed a lot of fight and spirit out there today [coming back after being down by two goals], and hopefully we can continue that the rest of the season."
The Colonials will conclude their home stand this weekend beginning on Friday when they host Fordham at 3:00 p.m. On Sunday, St. Bonaventure will visit at 1:00 p.m. Both games will be played at Mount Vernon Field.
