Trojans Win Third Straight
October 24, 2009
The Taylor University women's soccer team (7-9-1, 3-5 MCC) capped of the regular season with its third consecutive win, defeating the University of Saint Francis 3-1 on Saturday.
In the midst of their longest winning streak of the season, the Trojans seem to have overcome season-long scoring woes with seven goals in their last four matches.
Head coach Scott Stan says the recent offensive success should benefit his squad going into tournament play next week. "Now we feel like we can score and that should give us some confidence. We're going to have to play really well in the postseason."
Freshman Emily Von Raesfeld extended the Trojans' scoring streak with her first collegiate goal in the 11th minute of action vs. USF. Von Raesfeld eluded a defender in front of the net and crossed the ball to the left side of the goal giving Taylor a 1-0 lead.
Twenty minutes later sophomore Taylor Hale's shot caromed off the right post, but Yvette Rattray collected the rebound and went top-shelf for her third counter of the season.
The Trojans took the 2-0 lead into the break, but did not stop there. Staying aggressive through the second half TU was fouled inside the box and awarded a penalty kick in the 72nd minute when Becca Miller scored her first of the season and extended the lead to 3-0.
Less than ten minutes later the Trojans failed on three consecutive attempts before the Cougars turned the tables and scored on the other end of the field, narrowing the gap to 3-1.
USF posted one more legitimate threat in the 89th minute but Shawna Lane deflected the ball over the crossbar for her sixth save of the game.
The win is the Trojans' first over Saint Francis since 2006 and avenges Taylor's final two losses of last season.
Mid-Central College Conference regular season action will conclude on Tuesday and Taylor will learn of its first round opponent for Saturday, Oct. 31.