George Washington University Athletics
George Washington University
<b>TEMPLE</b>
Women's Soccer Clips Temple, 1-0, Snaps Three-Match Losing Streak
10/26/2007 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Oct. 26, 2007
WASHINGTON, DC - George Washington women's soccer got an early goal from junior Meg Pyle (Franklin Park, NJ/Mount St. Mary Academy) and fought through a steady rain to control play as they downed Temple, 1-0, in an Atlantic 10 Conference match held at Mount Vernon Athletics Complex early Friday afternoon.
For GW, who is now 7-8-0, 2-6-0 in the A-10, the win snapped a three-match losing streak and more importantly, kept alive their hopes of a post-season entry. After today's early action, GW trails Rhode Island by seven points, with three games remaining. Temple fell to 5-9-3 and 1-7-1 in conference play.
In today's match, while playing in a driving rain that only increased with intensity as the game moved along, the Colonials came out determined and out-played the visiting Owls for much of the 90 minutes.
Their effort was rewarded in the 39th minute, when Meg Pyle gathered the ball on the far side and sent a shot from 25-yards out, blasting the ball into the top left-half of the net, past the outstretched arms of Temple's keeper, Kara Williams. It was her second game-winning goal of the season and the fifth of her career.
Shortly thereafter, it appeared as though GW would add to its slim advantage, as a loose ball bounced free 10-yards from goal, but a shot from defender Kierra Colker (Los Angeles, CA/Beverly Hills) just missed and went ricocheting off the right post. Temple nearly managed to level the match just three minutes later, as the ball bounced free after GW keeper Amie Kern (Salyorsburg, PA/Stroudsburg) and defender Jillian Morgan (Douglassville, PA/Owen J. Roberts) collided and fell to the ground, leaving an empty net, but a shot by the Owls' Carly Metzger sailed harmlessly over the crossbar.
Kern, a red shirt-junior, came up big today again, recording her fifth shutout of the season and the eighth of her collegiate career. Her afternoon included a dazzling save on a Temple breakaway, when she dove to her left to push away a lined shot from Kelly Lare that was headed for the back of the net.
Junior forward Keara Mehlert (Chevy Chase, MD/Stone Ridge School) helped to pace the Colonial offense, recording four shots, three on goal. Red shirt-junior midfielder Erica Gilles (Cumberland, MD/Bishop Walsh) made her first start of the season and sophomore Misa Eiritz (New Orleans, LA/Grimsley) registered her first career start.
George Washington hosts Saint Joseph's (3-13-0, 1-7-0) in their 2007 home finale on Sunday at 3:00 p.m., following the men's noon match against #15 Saint Louis. The GW women will be celebrating Senior Day, as they honor Amie Kern, Erica Gilles, Kierra Colker, Nicole Trickett (Eugene, OR/South Eugene) and Jordan Sweeney (Houston, TX/Cy-Fair).
Additionally, Sunday's doubleheader will be held in conjunction with the annual "Kickin' It at The `Vern" event. Students, fans and alumni are encouraged to attend brunch at Mount Vernon's Ames Dining Hall prior to the men's match against Saint Louis at 12:00 pm. The GW Cheer Team, First Ladies' Dance Team and Colonials' mascots will perform at both matches, with refreshments available to spectators between games. Fans also are encouraged to wear blue to both matches on Sunday.
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