SU's Winning Streak Snapped at WVU

Sunday, October 9

Morgantown, W.Va.

1 p.m.

Syracuse University

West Virginia University

Jenna Rickan scored her second goal of the season at West Virginia.

Photo by: Michael J. Okoniewski

10/9/2011 5:02:47 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Syracuse had its four-game winning streak snapped in a 5-1 setback against #22 West Virginia in Morgantown, W.Va. on Sunday, October 9. The Orange is now 6-5-3 overall, 5-3 in BIG EAST play, while the Mountaineers improve to 14-2, including a 7-1 mark in the conference.

“This game is a good learning experience for us,” said Syracuse head coach Phil Wheddon. “We played on a large field in a great stadium. It was West Virginia's senior day so there were many distractions. As a student-athlete, you have to learn how to handle things when they aren't going your way.”

The Orange offense applied pressure in the first 25 minutes, but couldn't take advantage of its opportunities. The Mountaineers scored the first goal of the game in the 29th minute off a free kick by Blake Miller. West Virginia took a 2-0 lead in the 34th minute when Morgan Betscher found the back of the net on high looping shot to the back post. Caroline Szwed was credited with an assist on the play. WVU had two more chances to add to its advantage, but Orange goalkeeper Brittany Anghel stopped both shots in the final six minutes of the half.

The Mountaineers netted their first goal of the second half in the 47th minute when Meghan Lewis scored on a header off a cross from Miller. Goals by Kate Schwindel and Frances Silva on set plays increased West Virginia's lead to 5-0. The Mountaineers had another scoring opportunity in the 67th minute when they were awarded a penalty kick, but Anghel made a save on Katie Lenz's attempt. Junior Jenna Rickan tallied the Orange's lone goal in the 89th minute on a free kick from 24 yards out. It is Rickan's second goal of the season.

“All of West Virginia's goals highlighted a common mistake for us,” Wheddon said. “I've told our team that when we play against a good opponent, we will get exposed for not marking in the box. West Virginia is very predictable about what they are going to do, and they are very good at what they do. Today they were the better team and I congratulate them on the win. We have to get better at marking in the box and moving forward, we will focus on that.”

West Virginia outshot Syracuse, 18-6. The Mountaineers also recorded six corner kicks. Anghel finished with six saves, while WVU's Sara Keane had two saves.

“I'm happy that we were able to score as West Virginia was focused on getting a shutout,” Wheddon said. “I'm happy that Jenna (Rickan) scored on a free kick on a play that we have been working on in practice. We've had the players focus on finding the frame and making the goalkeeper make a play. I'm happy that we did that today as five of our six shots were on frame.”

The Orange plays its final home games of the regular season next weekend against South Florida on Friday at 7 p.m. and Marquette on Sunday at 1 p.m. at the SU Soccer Stadium.

“We've asked the players to split our weekend games at a minimum,” Wheddon said. “We did that this weekend with two tough road games. We now look forward to playing in front of our home crowd next weekend.”