After defeating Chowan by the convincing score of 8-0 and pulling out a close 2-1 overtime victory over Ursuline in their first two games of the 2014 season, the Shepherd University women’s soccer team has lost or drawed their last three matches, despite playing competitively on the defensive side of the ball.
Freshman defender Ashlee Dull is a young but talented player who played a vital part in Shepherd getting the victory in their first two games of the season. She was recognized for her outstanding play by being named the Mountain East Conference Defensive Player of the Week on Sept. 8. Her defensive efforts contributed to the 8-0 shutout win over Chowan in the season opener however, Dull suddenly became a hero for her team when she scored the clutch game-winning goal in the second overtime session to lift the Rams to a 2-1 victory over Ursuline. Since her overtime goal in that game, the lady Rams failed to tally a single goal over the course of their next three matches against Le Moyne, Davis & Elkins and Charleston.
The Lady Rams were outplayed for most of the game against Le Moyne College in Syracuse, N.Y. on Sept. 8 as they were defeated by the score of 3-0. All of Le Moyne’s three goals came from the same player. Kelly Ristoff scored a goal at the 10:39 mark to give her team an early lead. She then followed that up by scoring two more goals, just minutes apart in the 60th and 62nd minutes to crush Shepherd’s hopes of a comeback and to claim the hattrick accolade.
The team was once again in action on Sept. 10 when they traveled to Elkins, W. Va. to face Davis & Elkins. Despite having a 20-13 advantage over the Senators in shots, the Rams were unable to put one of those balls in the back of the net and they were shutout for the second straight game. As a result, both teams had to settle for a draw. Sophomore goalie Anna Muller played a stellar game and ensured the game remained scoreless by making six saves for the Rams.
In the most recent Shepherd University women’s soccer action, the team suffered a 2-0 setback to their Mountain East Conference rival, the University of Charleston, on Sunday, Sept. 14. At the 19:27 mark, the Golden Eagles took the lead and never looked back after a goal by Lyndsey Thompson. Holly Bigg, who assisted on the previous goal, added some insurance by scoring off a feed from Lindsey Henderson in the 57th minute. On the other hand, Shepherd failed to score a goal for the third straight game and the lack of offensive production was reflected in the Rams’ meager four shots on goal.
After being defeated in this game, the Lady Rams now find themselves with a record of 2-2-1 however it is still early in the regular season and there is some time for the team to improve on these setbacks. The team will be on the road for the following week, traveling to Concord University and Wheeling Jesuit University.
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