The women’s soccer team continues to struggle as conference play approaches, dropping two games in a row to the University of Virginia and George Washington University.
AU’s lack of offense was the major problem in the teams 2-0 loss to the Cavaliers. The Lady Eagles were outshot 10-1 in the first half. Although the Cavaliers did not score before halftime, they came back strong and scored three minutes into the second half. Virginia scored once more in the 89th minute to lock up the win.
Defensively, AU was able to number the oppositions overall scoring opportunities. Defenders Friederike Engel, Olivia Heditsian, Erin Koch and Kelly McLaughlin held Virginia to two corner kicks in the match. American goalkeeper Arianna Efstathiou furthered the team’s efforts to shutdown the Cavaliers’ strong offense, recording six saves.
American picked up their second loss in three days on Tuesday, falling 2-1 to cross-town rival George Washington. The Eagles quickly allowed the Colonials to dominate the ball, scoring two goals in the first 20 minutes of play.
The Eagles were able to bring the energy they lacked in the first half to the field after halftime, despite GW’s two-goal lead. In the 56th minute, freshman Kristin Piorun capitalized on the Eagles’ new momentum and put her team on the scoreboard with her first career goal.
AU kept up the pressure after the goal with a handful of good scoring chances late in the match. Seniors Mary Riegler and Koch both fired shots that just skimmed over the top of the goal. AU was unable to poke a tying goal past the Colonials’ goalkeeper, who deflected the shot over the goal post, as time expired.
Offense was not a problem against GW, as they outshot their opponent 16-14. AU has taken 107 shots on goal this season, compared to their opponents’ total of 99. That said, however, half of the Eagles’ scoring chances are in the second half showing the teams inability to drive at their opponents from the get go. Bucciero admits that his team appeared distracted in the first half against the Colonials and must work on playing the full 90 minutes of every match with greater effort.
This Sunday, Sept. 27, AU will face Robert Morris in Moon Township, Pa. It is the final match of AU’s three-match road trip where the team will look to snap a three-game skid.
You can reach this writer at sports@theeagleonline.com.
