George Washington University Athletics
George Washington University
Saint Louis
GW Women's Soccer Beats SLU in Regular-Season Finale
11/2/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
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SAINT LOUIS, Mo. - The George Washington women's soccer team shut out Saint Louis, 1-0, in its regular-season finale on Sunday afternoon at Hermann Stadium to clinch a spot in the 2014 Atlantic 10 Championship.
The Colonials wrapped the regular season with an overall record 11-5-1 to secure their first 11-win season since 2003 and the ninth time in the program's 35-year history. With an A-10 mark of 4-3-1, GW has earned a bid to the eight-team conference tournament for the second consecutive season. The last time the Buff and Blue reached the A-10 Championship in back-to-back years was 1997-98.
Sophomore MacKenzie Cowley's goal in the 16th minute of play proved to be the game-winner, marking her fourth of the season. The GW defense, which is anchored by redshirt freshman goalkeeper Miranda Horn, helped the Colonials match the 2013 squad with eight shutouts throughout the season.
The Billikens close their season with an overall record of 8-10-0 and a conference record of 3-5-0.
At the 15:58 mark of the first half, Cowley collected a through ball from senior defender Alex Brothers and flicked it past SLU keeper Hanna Benben for game-winning tally. Brothers' assist was her first career point in Buff and Blue.
The Colonials came up with multiple big saves on the afternoon to preserve the 1-0 lead. In the 19th minute of the second frame, a Saint Louis corner kick got behind Horn, but GW defenders were there to clear the ball. With just under six minutes to play in the game, the Billikens' Cristina Rodriguez dribbled into the left side of the box and fired to the right post, but Horn came up with a diving save to punch the ball out. Tori Marshall took SLU's final shot of the match from 18 yards out with 1:38 showing on the clock, but Horn stood firm in the middle of the net to make the stop.
Juniors Kristi Abbate and Kyla Ridley each took a team-high two shots for the Colonials. Horn matched her career high with six saves for the second straight contest.
The Colonials will travel to Dayton, Ohio for the 2014 Atlantic 10 Championship, held from Thursday, Nov. 6 through Sunday, Nov. 9 at the Flyers' Baujan Field. Fourth-seeded GW will face fifth-seeded Rhode Island on Thursday at 1:30 p.m.
