By Maegan White
Elm Staff Writer
The Shorewomen and Shoremen soccer faced off the Muhlenberg College Mules at Roy Kirby Stadium on Saturday Sept. 24. The Shorewomen won 2-1 advancing their conference record to 1-0-2 while the Shoremen tied 1-1 making their conference record 0-1-1.
The Shoremen came out strong pushing past the Mule’s defense in the first 15 seconds with a strong shot on goal that was saved by the Mule’s keeper. Despite both teams taking multiple shots on goal, the half ended 0-0.
At the 57 minute mark, junior forward Cole Gifford shot a rebound from the post. The Mules goalkeeper blocked the shot but Gifford followed through and was able to get the ball in the back of the net putting the Shoremen in the lead 1-0.
The Mules tied the game at the 81 minute mark when the Mules scored off a deflection from a corner kick. The game ended in a tie between the Shoremen and Muhlenberg.
The Shorewomen kicked off their game against Muhlenberg just hours after the men’s team.
At the 12 minute mark, sophomore midfielder Kayla Streett passed the ball to senior forward Katie King who beat two Muhlenberg defenders and shot the ball at the 15 yard mark. The Mules goalkeeper made contact with the ball but was not able to stop it from reaching the back of the net. The half ended with the Shorewomen up 1-0.
10 minutes into the second half, the Mules responded and were able to break the Shorewomen’s defense. A Mules forward kicked a high arching 25 yard shot that went over the head of the Shorewomen’s goalkeeper tying the game 1-1.
The Mules had an opportunity to take the lead at the 57 minute mark when an initial shot went over the head of freshman goalkeeper Hailey Sharpe and rebounded off the post. The Mules attempted to head the ball in but Sharpe was able to recover and grab the ball. This save was essential to the Shorewomen’s victory.
With less than 10 minutes left in the second half, senior midfielder Ellie Morrall received the ball from a throw in. She launched the ball into the box directly at junior forward Ellen Daly who headed the ball into the goal over the Mule’s keeper. This goal secured the conference victory of the Shorewomen.
Senior defender Rachel Chatfield when reflecting on the victory said, “I think we brought the energy in the beginning. We died out a little bit but picked it back up after their first goal. We had a comeback in the second half which is good.”
The Shoremen and Shorewomen face off against Ursinus College on Saturday Oct. 1. The Shoremen will be traveling to Ursinus while the Shorewomen will be playing at Kibler Field.
Photo by Grace Hazlehurst
Photo Caption: Senior midfielder Ben Strine moving the ball past Muhlenberg defenders.