The Rocket

Issue date: 10/19/07 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Steve Reed Freshman Alison Hindley attempts to steal the ball from a Charleston (W. Va.) player during the Rock's 6-0 blowout victory last Saturday. Hindley netted three goals for her first-career hat trick. The green and white clinched its sixth-consecutive playoff berth. [Click to enlarge]

When the ship that is the Slippery Rock women's soccer set out on its journey this season, it knew there would be some rough waters.

The only question was how the crew would manage when that time came.

After going winless during a recent three-game span, the Rock's ship looked as if it was losing steam. But, as it turned out, all the crew needed was a little home cooking.

The green and white returned home after a season-high four-game road trip, which included back-to-back shutout losses to Bloomsburg and rival IUP. The team found its scoring touch again, knocking off Charleston (W. Va.) 6-0 last Saturday and Wheeling Jesuit 4-0 in Monday's game.

"We came out flat against Bloomsburg," Head Coach Noreen Herlihy said. "They scored early and we didn't put our opportunities home. Against IUP, we were not mentally ready and again we gave up an early goal."

In the 2-0 loss at IUP, the Rock (12-3-1, 6-1-1) dominated the second half, out-shooting the Crimson Hawks, 11-4, but were again unable to capitalize on its many opportunities.

"We clearly dominated the pitch in the second, and it looked as if we were going to score," Herlihy said. "We didn't put our chances away, but lesson learned. I thought, despite the loss, that we could use the momentum from the end of that game and use it against Charleston."

The Rock certainly did, taking a 1-0 lead in the fifth minute of play, on a Danielle Cooper goal. The game remained 1-0 until freshman Alison Hindley took the game into her own hands, or rather, her feet.

Continued...

Page 1 of 2 next >

Article Tools