The American University women’s soccer team (1-5-3) triumphed in a thrilling last-minute victory against the Army West Point Black Knights (7-3-1) on Sept. 20. Army proved a formidable opponent in this match, but second-half goals from senior midfielder Phoebe Merrigan and junior defender Bella Vozar made the difference at a packed Reeves Field.
American had to dig deep for much of the match, with Army controlling possession from the early stages. Strong saves from sophomore goalkeeper Addison Roemer and a steely defensive resistance from the backline kept the Eagles in the game, as Army struggled to convert its attacking chances.
Army midfielder Grace Pohlidal saw her long-range effort well saved by Roemer in the 12th minute before Eagles defender Mary DelVecchio made a crucial challenge to block a cross from Army senior Brigid Duffy moments later. Duffy was prolific for the opposition throughout the game, and the Eagles had to work hard to nullify her offensive threat.
Despite a strong start for the guests, American grew into the game and enjoyed a flurry of attacking chances in the middle stages of the opening half. Eagles senior midfielder Avery Klingensmith saw her shot well blocked by a solid Army defensive line in the 24th minute before heading a pinpoint delivery from Merrigan just over the bar.
Army regained control of the game towards the end of the half with sophomore forward Makaela Morrell’s 39th-minute effort sailing high and wide. The Eagles made it to the halfway mark with the score level after working tirelessly to keep themselves in the game.
American made the most of the break to regroup and looked like a stronger team in the second half. Sophomore forward Maddie Hurowitz saw her shot well blocked by Army defender Jordan Follenweider, who had to be subbed off after falling awkwardly on the follow-through.
Army took the lead in the 68th minute when freshman forward Sophia Henry met a cross in the box from senior forward Bella Cooke and sent a looping header into the top left corner. Reeves erupted with noise from the strong contingent of traveling Army support in the stands.
Despite creating a series of dangerous attacking plays, the opposition struggled to consolidate their lead. Roemer made a stunning diving save to block a powerful effort from Henry in the 75th minute before Duffy fired the rebound high and wide. The Eagles were rewarded for their resilience in the 77th minute when Merrigan sent a deflected cross from Klingensmith into the bottom left corner to level the score.
Army was ferocious in pursuit of a winning goal, with freshman defender Megan Youngberg hitting the bar moments before Pohlidal’s shot was saved by Roemer. Army supporters felt a penalty should have been awarded in the 81st minute, after a strong challenge in the area, but the referee waved play on.
Army continued to push for a late winner, but fortunes changed when referee Moo Hackett awarded the home side a free kick in the last minute of the game. Graduate student forward Jennifer McGuire’s ball to the back post was saved by Army goalkeeper Karalyn Dail, but Vozar was first to the rebound and poked the ball home in the 90th minute to secure the Eagles’ victory in their first Patriot League game of the season.
American players rushed onto the pitch in a celebration that epitomized the team spirit needed to overcome the challenging physical and possession-based style of a strong Army side.
Head coach Marsha Harper commented after the game that she was “ecstatic” with the togetherness of her team’s performance. Harper referred to the beginning of the Patriot League season as a “clean slate” for the Eagles after a difficult non-conference campaign.
Match-winner Vozar praised the mentality of the team after conceding and spoke of the confidence this resilient victory gives the Eagles going into the season ahead. “I’ve seen our mindset before when we’ve been down and today just felt very different,” Vozar said. “We knew after we got down that we were totally capable of coming back and we have enough talent to come back.”
The Eagles will hope to take their winning form on the road next week to Easton, Pennsylvania, where they play the Lafayette Leopards in the first away game of Patriot League play. They return home on Oct. 1 to play the Loyola Maryland Greyhounds.
This article was edited by Connor Sturniolo, Penelope Jennings and Walker Whalen. Copy editing done by Sabine Kanter-Huchting, Emma Brown and Ariana Kavoossi.
