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Oct. 28, 2008
On Friday we took on a Georgetown team that was ranked in the top 25 in the country and was seeing much of their success from an extremely dangerous long throw in that had previously resulted in many of their game winning goals. While we knew the throw in would be something we would have to be aware of, we were determined to push the pace of the game and create early chances. In the first half we controlled the tempo of the game, sustaining possession within their half and generating some good chances on goal. However, we went into the half scoreless, unable to finish our chances in the opening 45 minutes. In the second half Georgetown began to get a bit more of the play, and as a result we were forced to deal with more and more long throw ins. While we did a great job for most of the match clearing the first balls off of their throw ins, it was the second ball that would eventually cost us. With 12 minutes left in the match we cleared the ball straight back to the thrower, who fired a shot into the top corner to put them ahead 1-0. Undeterred, we fought back and had two chances to tie the game late in the match. Jennifer Jones received a ball at the penalty spot, turned and shot, but her effort went just wide of the post. Then with just minutes left in the match Jess Mello flicked a corner kick to the far post for Katie Owen, but her redirected effort went just over the crossbar. But it was not to be our day, and we lost the match 1-0. As much as the loss hurt, the feeling was bittersweet because Cincinnati had beaten Villanova in the other match that night, which meant that Villanova was out and we were assured a spot in the Big East Tournament. While we were now guaranteed a spot in the tournament, we knew that with a win on Sunday and a Cincinnati tie or loss we would earn a home game in the first round of the Big East Tournament. On Sunday against Villanova it took us a bit to settle into the game, but once we did the chances started to come. We found a goal in the first half when Jess Mello sent a cross to the penalty spot for Shannon Smyth, who hit a first time curling effort that eluded the Villanova goalkeeper. A one goal lead is fragile, though, and we knew we wanted to get a second to make sure the result was not in doubt. In the second half a great effort and a bit of luck led to our second goal of that match. In the 55th minute Caitlin Rehder picked up a ball and unleashed a shot from 30 yards out that seemed destined for the back of the net. Unfortunately for the Villanova goalkeeper the ball hit off the crossbar and caromed off of her arm and into the goal. We had a two goal lead, and with our back line playing as well as they have over the past few matches the result was secure. The only thing left was to wait to find the result of the Cincinnati vs. Georgetown game to see if we would be on the road or at home in the opening round of the Big East Tournament. Georgetown did what we needed them to do, winning 1-0 in overtime over Cincinnati. The result meant that we will now play host to Pittsburgh this coming Thursday at 7pm at Cardinal Park. We have set up a special free webcast of the game, so if you are not able to make it we hope you will be following us online as we begin our Big East Tournament play! Click here to watch the game free of charge.
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