The 13th-ranked women’s soccer team won 2-0 against Gettysburg College on Wednesday, Oct. 7.
In a game that remained scoreless by halftime, the Lions rallied early in the second half when senior defender Brenna Rubino scored an impressive goal from a distance. Senior midfielder Brittany McGinley scored later in the half off a long cross from the left side, with freshman forward Jordan Downs on the assist.
The Lions controlled play throughout and dominated in shots, putting up 25 of them during the game over Gettysburg’s one. Gettysburg went to the Sweet 16 last year and was supposed to pose stiff competition for the College’s women this year, but the loss put them at 5-5 on the season.
Freshman goalkeeper Cristina Gacos lifted her shutout total to seven on the year, thanks to a strong performance from the defense, which has become the norm.
On Saturday night, the Lions got back to NJAC play and continued their winning ways by beating William Paterson University 2-1 in a rough match containing a number of fouls. The Pioneers drew first blood by scoring 12 minutes into the first half. This goal broke a streak in which the Lions had not allowed a goal in eight full games.
“Having them score and end the scoreless streak was very disappointing,” Gacos said. “It was something the defense and I worked very hard for.”
The College team found itself in an unfamiliar position, but battled back nonetheless by scoring with 15 minutes left in the first half. The goal was tallied unsurprisingly by senior defender Brittany McGinley, who scored in her fourth consecutive contest, giving her eight goals on the year. Sophomore midfielder Sloan DePiero put away the deciding goal in the second half on a ball delivered by senior defender Nikki Migliori.
The College will face a real challenge on Wednesday as they take on sixth-ranked Johns Hopkins University. The women will be looking for revenge against the team that bounced them from the playoffs last year.
“Moving forward, we need to continue having momentum and winning games,” Gacos said. “The second half of the season (is much tougher).”
