Syracuse University
West Virginia
WVU Gets by Orange in OT
10/8/2010 10:51:21 PM | Women's Soccer
SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Syracuse held West Virginia scoreless during regulation but allowed a goal in the 96th minute as the Mountaineers recorded a 1-0 victory at the SU Soccer Stadium on Friday, Oct. 8, 2010. The Orange is now 5-7-3 on the season, including a 2-4 mark in BIG EAST play. West Virginia improves to 8-4-1 overall, 4-1-1 in conference action.
The Mountaineers generated most of the scoring chances in the first half, outshooting Syracuse, 8-2. WVU's best opportunity came in the fifth minute of play when SU goalkeeper Brittany Anghel blocked a shot by Frances Silva. The ball went off Anghel to the Mountaineers' Bri Rodriguez. She put her shot on goal, but Syracuse defender Casey Ramirez was there to make the defensive save to keep the game tied.
West Virginia's offense applied pressure at the start of the second half, recording two corner kicks and three shots in the first three minutes of action. Anghel knocked Drea Barklage's shot over the crossbar in the 45th minute and then stopped a shot by Rodriguez to keep the game tied at 0-0. After the defense withstood WVU's offensive flurry, Syracuse's offense came to life and controlled much of the remainder of regulation, but couldn't convert on its scoring opportunities, sending the game into overtime.
Playing a man-down after a second yellow card on Kayla Afonso with two minutes remaining in the second half, the Orange successfully defended against a West Virginia corner in the 92nd minute, and Anghel's save in the 93rd minute preserved the tie. The Mountaineers finally broke through in the 96th minute. Blake Miller passed the ball to Caroline Szwed, who played it to Megan Mischler in the box. Mischler put her shot in the back of the goal to give West Virginia the 1-0 victory.
“I thought we competed for the entire game,” said Syracuse head coach Phil Wheddon. “We created chances. I thought we played very, very well. Tonight I thought we dictated tempo and kept possession. That possession has to result in being more dangerous. That possession has to result in chances on goal. I thought we did that a little bit better today. We're still a young team. We can't forget that. We have inexperienced players who are peaking at the right time. We are getting better and better. I am very proud of their effort.”
West Virginia outshot Syracuse, 18-6, and had six corner kicks. Anghel finished with seven saves, while Kerri Butler made four saves for the Mountaineers.
Syracuse is back in action on Sunday when it hosts Pittsburgh at 1 p.m. at the SU Soccer Stadium. Admission is free of charge.
