The AU women’s soccer team failed to get back on the winning track Sept. 24, as the Eagles fell 2-0 to the University of Richmond Spiders at Reeves Field.
This is AU’s (3-7-1) second consecutive shutout loss, after Loyola University Maryland topped the Eagles 1-0 Sept. 21.
“We did things better than we did against Loyola,” Head Coach Dave Bucciero said. “I think our one-on-one defending really showed today as an area that we have to improve at. They broke us down a lot in one-versus-one situations.”
Richmond (6-3-2) started to press early, and AU’s Hannah Tatro picked up a yellow card in the seventh minute, which lead to the Spiders’ first goal.
Richmond’s Becca Wann scored off a free kick that went right past AU goalkeeper Arianna Efstathiou. Wann, a sophomore forward and the Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Year last season, has a team-high nine scores on the year.
The Spiders dominated possession in the first half, creating many scoring chances and keeping a strong back line in the process. The Eagles made several substitutions in the opening 45 minutes, but still had trouble trying to equalize.
When the Eagles started to press forward, the Spiders would regain possession, and Efstathiou made four saves in the first half as the Spiders counter attacked.
A second Richmond goal was negated with the offside flag up, and the Eagles began to create chances late in the first half, but could not push across the equalizer.
Just 27 seconds into the second half, Liza Koch scored from a cross to put Richmond up 2-0. Following Koch’s goal, LeighAnne Baxter looked to put Richmond ahead 3-0 but was unable to convert her chance.
In the 63rd minute AU’s Nicole Paviglionite nearly cut the deficit in half, but Andrea Young made one of her three saves on the afternoon to preserve the Richmond clean sheet. AU was better organized and had better scoring chances in the second half, but was unable to push across a goal for the second straight game.
Richmond held a 14-8 advantage in shots and a 6-2 edge in corner kicks for the game. Seven of Richmond’s shots were on goal while three were on net for AU.
“Our team has to not get down about the losses and the record,” Bucciero said. “We need to keep the focus on getting better with each game and improving as a team, which will hopefully lead to success in the Patriot league.”
The Eagles will begin Patriot League play Oct. 1, when they host the U.S. Naval Academy. Last season, the Eagles scored two goals in the final three minutes to defeat Navy in the season finale and knock the Midshipmen out of the Patriot League Tournament.
“Our real season begins next Saturday against Navy,” Efstathiou said.
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