2008 Woodie Awards
Close Call
Women's soccer shutout by nationally ranked IUP Indians
By Matt Matusek
Issue date: 10/14/05 Section: Sports
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The game-winning goal occurred in the 40th minute of play when IUP defenseman Corey Weir headed a goal past SRU goalkeeper Jen McCormick off an indirect free kick.
The kick came after SRU senior defenseman Cheryl Wickerham was temporarily injured and play was stopped. Instead of a drop ball to determine possession, however, possession was given to IUP with an indirect free kick.
"It was definitely a controversial call on the play," coach Noreen Herlihy said.
With the loss, SRU remains in second place in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference West division.
Had SRU won the game, they would have jumped into first place in the division a point ahead of IUP. SRU is now down 5 points in the division race with 5 games left to play.
"It was extremely frustrating to lose that game," said Mallory Neubert, freshman forward and PSAC Athlete of the Week. "We lost on a terrible call and we outshot and outplayed them."
The shutout loss to No. 17 ranked IUP marks the second straight time that SRU has been shutout by the Indians this season, despite out-shooting them in both contests. The first contest ended in a 0-0 tie.
"Even though we haven't been able to score goals against IUP, we know that we're capable of scoring. We know that we didn't lose to a better team, we dominated the game," Herlihy said.
"We are definitely looking forward to playing them again. There is absolutely no doubt that we can beat them next time," Neubert said.
The next chance to play IUP will come in the PSAC playoffs if SRU clinches a playoff berth.
Earlier in the week SRU defeated Lock Haven University 3-0 on the strength of two unassisted goals by Neubert.
The two goals scored by Neubert propelled her into being named PSAC player of the week and gave her 5 goals on the season.
Sophomore Megan McGrath scored the third goal in the contest off an assist from sophomore Sarah Mangiarelli, effectively putting LHU away.
The goal was McGrath's team-leading eighth point of the season.
The next game for the Rock will be at home against Clarion University. In their first meeting of the year, SRU crushed the Golden Eagles 4-1 at Clarion.
"We need to execute offensively the same way we did as the first time we played them," Herlihy said. "The game against IUP was the first game in six games that we were held scoreless, so I don't think we will have a problem putting the ball in the back of the net against Clarion."
Since their meeting with SRU, Clarion has gone 1-2-1. In their last game they tied 4th nationally ranked West Chester University 0-0.
Herlihy and the team have nothing but high expectations for the remaining regular season games.
"We're playing well at the right time. We're going to create offense and our defense is playing very well," Herlihy said.
The game against Clarion is scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday.
