By Dominic Rapposelli
Business and Distribution Manager
Washington College improved their win streak to three with wins over the visiting Haverford Fords and sixteenth ranked Ursinus Bears. These two victories were home shutouts, featuring a pair of Shorewomen goals in each contest.
The Fords traveled to Chestertown on Oct. 4 in a contest that was scoreless until the fourth quarter. Freshman Ashley Swan struck first with her debut goal for the Shorewomen off a pass from senior Kate Gromacki. The offense would followed with sophomores Kendall Thompson and Samantha McMahon combining to ice the contest midway through the fourth.
The team attributes their offensive attack to the communication between the three lines: attack, midfield, and defense. I think that recently as a team we have been connecting more on the field. “All three lines on the field have been working together to move the ball up field and attack with numbers,” sophomore Brynn Balliet said.
Being able to strike first has helped WC win games as they are undefeated when being the initial scorers. “With our attack making strides to win the game from the beginning, it’s really elevated our team play,” sophomore Faye Dorman said.
Once again, being first on the scoreboard proved beneficial in WC’s 2-0 victory over the sixteenth ranked Ursinus Bears. This victory was the second all-time victory over Ursinus for the Shorewomen.
“I think what we’re doing in practice is paying off. It’s obvious that we’re really playing to our chemistry and working better in the midfield,” Gromacki said.
Thompson sent a pass over to junior Zoe Shevitz, who found the back of the net in order to get the scoring started. Shevitz recorded her first goal of the season, second in her time at WC.
Having several people step and score record goals this season has been an asset for the Shorewomen as they have seven players who have found the back of the net so far and eight players registering at least one helper. Gromacki attributes this to the team’s emphasis on their “bench culture.”
At the bottom of the first, McMahon scored off a pass from Balliet in order to go up two goals. The Bears would be held in check for the remainder of the night. The bears were held to nine shots while freshman goalie Charlotte Schurman saved four of them.
“It was amazing beating a ranked team, especially on Homecoming. Ursinus is an old-time rival of WAC, and this was the second time in history that our program defeated them. I think it really states how strong our team truly is, honestly,” said Dorman
Not only was Ursinus a ranked opponent, but also a Centennial Conference adversary. Securing wins over the Bears and Haverford could prove critical when playoffs begin, and tiebreakers come into play.
“Any time you defeat a conference foe it is great, but when you can upset a team that is also ranked, it feels even better,” Balliet said.
WC hopes to rectify their fortunes as they head into an October 18 matchup against the Bryn Mawr Owls. The Shorewomen are in the midst of a two-game skid following losses to Johns Hopkins and Dickinson.
“I think there are things we can take away from every team we play. We know there are some things we want to work on and improve upon and we are going to continue to work hard on what is needed,” Balliet said, “A positive is we are making progress in the right direction.”
The Shorewomen sit at 7-6 overall and 3-3 in conference play while being fifth in Centennial Conference standing. Three of the Shorewomen’s final four games will be at home where the team has only lost twice this season.
Photo courtesy of WC athletics
Photo Caption: Sophomore forward Brynn Balliet pushes the ball forward against defenders.