Women’s soccer narrowly defeats Case 1–0

The Carnegie Mellon women’s soccer team played two University Athletic Association (UAA) games last week, tying the University of Rochester 1–1 after double overtime Friday evening, and defeating Case Western Reserve University Sunday 1–0. The Tartans are now 7–4–2 for the season and 2–1–1 in the UAA.

On Friday against Rochester, the Yellowjackets (8–3–1, 3–0–1 UAA) attacked first when senior midfielder Ali Streeter tipped in a corner kick from junior midfielder Laura Bojko in the 18th minute of play. The goal was Streeter’s third for the season.

The Yellowjackets continued to pepper the Tartan goal, but Carnegie Mellon first-year goalkeeper Anya Rosen remained tough, making four saves in the first period and seven throughout the game.

Rochester senior goalie Molly Leitch recorded two saves during the game. Leitch’s saves came from shots by Tartan leading goal-scorer junior Abby Coffin. Last week, Coffin was named UAA women’s soccer Athlete of the Week for the second week in a row. Coffin leads Carnegie Mellon with 10 goals and 21 points this season.

The Tartans finally tied the game at 1–1 late in the second period when junior defender Sarah DeWath chipped in a corner kick from senior defender Amanda Rose during the 80th minute of play. Neither team was able to score in the remaining 20 minutes of regulation time, forcing the game into overtime.

Carnegie Mellon remained on the defensive during overtime. In the eighth minute of the first overtime, a Rochester corner kick hit the Tartan back post, but deflected out. In the second minute of the second overtime, Rochester almost scored again, but DeWath cleared the ball off the line to keep the Tartans in the game. Ultimately, the Tartans and Yellowjackets would settle for the 1–1 tie.

“I think we are really starting to figure things out in the defense,” junior defender Mary Ashe said. “We are communicating and getting comfortable with where everyone is. We are giving up fewer shots and fewer goals.”

Traveling to Cleveland on Sunday, the Tartans faced off against Case (6–8, 0–4 UAA), defeating the Spartans 1–0. Carnegie Mellon got off to a slow start, taking only one shot in the first half. Rosen made two saves in the first half to keep the Spartans off the board.

The Tartan goal wasn’t scored until the 69th minute of play when first-year forward Valerie Corvino dribbled around Case goalkeeper Kristen McClain and fed the ball to senior forward Kasey Stever, who found the back of the open net.

“Valerie was really smart and selfless when she passed the ball to me. It was really nice teamwork on her behalf,” Stever said. “Even though I really care about the team doing well, I have had such a great career experience at Carnegie Mellon; so I am happy that we are doing so well and playing like a real team.”

Rosen hung onto the shutout and stopped a header by junior forward Caroline Garber during the last seconds of the game to secure the Tartan win. Case took five shots, with three on net during the game. Carnegie Mellon had seven shots, five of which were on goal.

“It was nice to win the second game on a long weekend and stay focused on the road,” Stever said. “Since the conference is so inconsistent and competitive, we have an opportunity to finish strongly in the UAA rankings.”

“Doubleheaders are always tough, but it shows a lot of character, not only for the defense, but also the team coming out with positive results and beginning to show our conference that we are a team to be reckoned with,” Ashe said.

The women’s soccer team will take a week off before hosting New York University Friday, Oct. 26, at 7:30 p.m. in another UAA matchup.