The AU women’s soccer team fell 1-0 to a fast and physical Fairfield University team on Sept. 7 at Reeves Field. Despite its loss, the Eagles remained positive about their performance.
“Our whole thing was ‘bring the storm,’ and I think we did for the first ten, fifteen minutes, twenty minutes, but it did break up the game,” second-year head coach Anabel Hering said. “We weren’t able to keep possession, but once the game calmed down a little bit we were able to keep possession and play our game...Overall I think it was a good effort from the first minute to the last minute.”
Fairfield brought strong speed to the game early on, and the players passed back and forth with precision. Through stellar footwork, the Stags controlled the ball in the first half, but AU continued to fight; the Eagles (2-4) countered the Fairfield attacks with standout defensive efforts from senior Kirsten Eriksen and sophomore Allie Day.
AU slowly grew more comfortable with the pace of action throughout the half, and it created more offensive opportunities with each passing minute. Junior forward Kelly Donavon utilized her signature summersault throw-in during the 12th minute to launch the ball to sophomore midfielder Marley Jennings, who attempted a shot on goal, but Fairfield senior goalie Kathleen Early ended the play with a successful save.
“Overall I think it was a good effort
from the first minute to the last minute.”
— head coach Anabel Hering
Donavan executed the same move again 10 minutes later, but Early rejected the resulting shot again. The Eagles increased its intensity in the final minutes, and, with 2:30 to play, Jennings fired a second shot on goal that soared just wide of the net.
“[Our offense] did well, considering the fact that because they were in a 4-4-2, we had to bring our outside wingers back to defend their outside mids. I think they dealt with [that] well defensively and attacking wise,” Hering said.
Senior goalie Charlene Belanger kept the Eagles alive in the early minutes with a critical tip save off a high shot from Fairfield senior midfielder Michelle Kowalski. AU and Fairfield remained scoreless at the half due to exceptional goalkeeping efforts on both sides.
“She’s just really good with breakaways and one v. one situations like that,” Hering said, “whether it’s a foot save or a hand save, she’s just really intuitive with that.”
AU entered the second half strong, and it developed a quick burst of momentum after Michaela Garcia launched a rifle shot the Fairfield goal, only to be stopped by Early. Garcia continued to shine as playmaker for the Eagles, and her speed helped AU develop a stronger offensive attack. Sophomore midfielder Sara Perlman and senior defender Danielle Beard also recorded two shots each to contribute to the scoring efforts.
After nearly 60 minutes of scoreless soccer, Fairfield defender Jessica Broadbent delivered a flawless pass across the front of the net to senior forward Ashley Small, who fired the ball into the net.
AU freshman midfielder Emily Weimer attempted to respond to the goal, and she forced a high shot over the net almost just minutes after Fairfield scored. Senior forward Lindsey Muri followed the play with a shot of her own, but Fairfield’s defense help secure its shutout.
The Eagles face off again on again Sept. 10 in search of another win as they take on the Howard Bisons at 4 p.m. on Reeves Field.
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