The Wellesley College Soccer Program is coming off a fantastic weekend as we won our third Wellesley Invitational in a row! Before we get into the dramatic win through penalty kicks let's look back at how we got here...
Thursday, August 27 the team arrived for the first day of preseason happy to be reunited and start a fresh season of Wellesley soccer. With nine First Year's, the atmosphere of the team was slightly nervous but very excited. Over the next few days preseason entailed a variety of fitness tests, tactical training, technical training, scrimmages (with a 7-0 win over Emmanuel), an intense water polo match, and an interesting yoga session... As the grueling week ended and the soreness slowly disappeared, we found ourselves to no longer be a team full of First Year's but one cohesive unit both on and off the field.
Our first game showed normal first game jitters as we dropped a 2-0 decision to Roger Williams. Despite the loss, we held off a 2008 second round NCAA team to a scoreless first half. After the game we took a short vacation to Cape Cod where we ate a big dinner and stayed at Katie Martore's beautiful home.
Our next game against Endicott, a 2008 third round NCAA team, looked much better as we moved the ball around quicker, played to feet, and overall began playing Wellesley soccer. Unfortunately, we picked it up a little too late and lost 3-2. The first goal was scored by Nikki Fermanis, off a picture perfect cross from Catherine (Scrappy) Caruso. The next goal came from Meredith Roy as she finished a nice ball from First Year, Kara Lungmus.
This past weekend we hosted the Wellesley Invitational dominating Simmons on Saturday and pulling out a win in pk's against SUNY New Paltz for the championship. Despite only a one goal win against Simmons (goal by First Year Chelsea Patry), we had over 90% of the possession and keepers Katie Martore and Sarah Gray claimed a shut out. It was an overall team win as we out shot our opponent 25-12 and earned five corners.
The first win of the tournament brought us to the championship game against SUNY New Paltz where we ended in a double overtime tie. Both defenses held strong as 37 shots were taken between the two teams, the Blue with 22 shots. Due to the game being a tournament game, after 110 minutes of play it was time for penalty kicks. Katie Martore stepped in goal for the Blue stopping one shot and watching one sail over the crossbar, ultimately leading to a Wellesley victory. Pk's were scored by Amanda Young, Catherine Caruso, Megan Turchi, and Tristen Chin. Tristen Chin, a First Year defender was awarded the Wellesley Invitational MVP for her strong play in the back and game-changing overlapping runs up the line.
Up next Wellesley soccer faces Skidmore College for their first away game of the season.
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