Allegheny women’s soccer took full advantage of their fall break by earning two victories and restoring confidence before the final stretch of the season.
With only four matches left to play, victories over Rutgers-Camden on Saturday and conference foe Hiram on Tuesday have revived the Gators from a winless streak of seven games. They have scored more goals in two consecutive wins than in their previous seven matches altogether. Three of the four goals over break also came off the feet of freshmen.
Freshman forward Niki Augustine netter her first and second career goals in the same match at Camden. The statistics, however, told a story of opportunities left on the table while Allegheny outshot Camden 24-6.
Tuesday was much of the same with Ashley Lehr, ’13, providing a breakthrough goal in the first ten minutes. The remainder of the match was undoubtedly in Gator hands as Hannah Zangara, ’16, sealed the match with a goal in the 67th minute. Tuesday’s win also delivered Allegheny’s first three points in NCAC play.
“It’s so nice to know what it feels like to win again,” said junior Alison Buzzard, who recently rejoined the squad from a lower back injury.
A season that looked to be spiraling downward has regained its wings for the moment. The team is now 6-7-1 overall with only conference opposition left to be played on the schedule. Allegheny is sitting four points behind the fourth spot in the NCAC, the final playoff position.
A confidence in the final third of the field, something lacking until recently, could be decisive in propelling Gator soccer into the postseason. Allegheny has outshot their opposition 194-104 throughout the season, but only 14 goals have come from the onslaught of attacking soccer the Gators play.
Head Coach Michael Webber has been stressing in recent days the importance of a fast start to his team’s remaining matches.
“If we come out with energy, we will be much better off moving forward,” Webber said.
This philosophy has brought the Gators their recent wins and kept their season afloat for the time being. Early energy and a bit of enjoyment has infected the side at the most vital time.
“The last couple games have reminded us that it’s still just a game,” Augustine said.
With a handful of games left, the season will continue with a trip to Kenyon on Saturday. The Kenyon Lords currently sit on seven points in the NCAC. Three points on the road this weekend are a necessity to Gator postseason aspirations.