SU Wins Overtime Thriller!

After a brilliant second half display against Catholic in midweek, the Mustang's continued where they left of in the opening half of today's game against a strong and organized Elizabethtown team. In miserable conditions with the rain lashing down all day, Stephanie Eyler connected on a pass from Katie Decker to give the Mustangs an early lead after only 5 minutes.  It would remain that way through the first half, as both teams battled hard to take advantage of the difficult conditions. The second half started with the Blue Jays dominating play and they would tie the game up as the ball was knocked out of our GK's hands on a corner kick. The collision knocked the ball loose to an Etown forward who knocked the ball home from 6 yards. It would stay that way through the 90 minutes forcing the game to overtime. After a tie with Bridgewater and a loss to Virginia Wesleyan it was our turn to get the win in OT. Once again, Eyler stepped up to the task and buried the ball into the back of the net with 3 minutes left in the first overtime period. This was my first win in OT and I felt over the balance of the play, it was a much deserved result considering the wet conditions. I am just so proud of this team for battling through to the end. Great job ladies!!!

Mustangs Show Strength In Defeat

Today's second half performance against Catholic will hopefully be the turning point our season needed. We have been playing some great soccer and have had some big wins but today we found the intensity, desire and spirit we will need to push ourselves in the conference and region. We had a very poor first half, going down 3-0 to a team that was undefeated and who had only allowed 1 goal in 7 wins. However, as we have found out this season, this SU Women's soccer team does not give up. We won everything in the second half and were a completely different team from the first. We battled hard, got physical and showed a desire to win every challenge.  With that energy and intensity, we almost achieved another amazing comeback with two great goals from Eyler and Kane. This may not have been the result I would have hoped for, but I am just so proud of the team for not giving up and for showing me that when we get physical, intense and show passion then we can be better than any team in this region. 

SU EARNS FIRST EVER REGIONAL RANKING!

COURTESY OF OUR BRILLIANT SPORTS INFORMATION DIRECTOR, JASON EICHELBERGER

For the first time in school history, the Stevenson women's soccer team has been ranked, achieving a No. 9 ranking by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) in its latest NCAA Division III South Atlantic Region Poll released Tuesday. The Mustangs (4-2-1, 1-1 CAC) split two games last week, beating St. Mary's (Md.) 2-1 at home on Wednesday before falling to Salisbury at Caves Athletics Complex on Saturday, 1-0.

Stevenson is one of four teams from the CAC listed in this week's regional rankings. Salisbury is at No. 4 with a 3-1-2 record while York (Pa.) is eighth at 5-1-0 and Mary Washington is 10th with a record of 6-1-1. Salisbury is also receiving votes in the national poll. The Mustangs will put their newly earned ranking to the test on Wednesday when they travel to Catholic for a 4:30 p.m., contest with the Cardinals. Catholic was ranked at No. 4 in the NSCAA's Mid-Atlantic Region on Tuesday. 

Catholic won last year's meeting in Owings Mills, 3-2 on Oct. 1, 2008. Kelly Donnely had a goal and an assist for the Cardinals' who led 2-1 in the game's first 10 minutes after goals by Suzie Peters and Helene Nicoletti. Current Stevenson assistant coach Tonia Cristino scored the Mustangs' only goal off an assist from junior Allison Humphries (Bel Air/John Carroll) just 43 seconds in while sophomore Brittany Ross (Millersville/Severna Park) had three second half saves after replacing starter Michelle McConnell at halftime. The Cardinals are 7-0 this season, including 3-0 at home.

And we made it into the Baltimore Sun.

Tough Loss Against Salisbury

The Mustangs battled hard against a very strong Salisbury team but could not produce a positive result despite their efforts. In a very even game, a Salisbury forward pounced on a lucky bounce to score the only goal of the game. The Mustangs were outshot by the Seagulls. However, we created the better of the chances but on this occasion we could not direct the ball into the corner of the net. I was very proud of the girls work rate and teamwork today and I thought we deserved something from the game. Now we must look to bounce back with a positive response as we bid to keep up with our conference rivals. It leaves us at 1-1 in the CAC with a lot of games still to play. Next up tough non-conference games against Catholic, Elizabethtown and Juniata.  

Check out these action shots of the game from Mark Hergan: Stevenson vs. Salisbury

Mustangs Start CAC Play With Win!

The Mustangs started conference play with a win against CAC foe St. Mary's College. The Seahawks had beat our team last year 3-0 in our only loss in the conference as they went on to win the CAC tournament. This year we started well with an early goal from one of our seniors, Katie Decker. Katie has one of the hardest shots in the conference and it was a tough ball for the goalkeeper to deal with off a corner kick. We played a solid game and really stepped it up in the second half. Stephanie Eyler scored her second goal of the season to make it 2-0 and even though St. Mary's pulled one back we held on for a great win. I was very impressed with our first conference game and it was great to start with a win, brilliant job ladies!

Check out these action shots of the game from Mark Hergan: Stevenson vs. St. Mary's

WHAT A GAME!!!!!

After heavy rain on Friday, our game today against Frostburg was pushed back from 12pm to 2pm so we could give the field some time to dry. Even after all the rain our field held up well thanks to the fantastic work of our field technician Tom Russ. A light scottish drizzle descended on the game today but the girls looked ready to take on an undefeated Frostburg team. In their first three games, the Bobcats had scored 14 goals and had yet to concede a goal. They had recorded big wins over our CAC opponents, St. Mary's and Marymount. The game started at a fast pace and the Mustangs stunned Frostburg by scoring a minute into the game. A great through ball from Katie Decker sent Sam Novy in on goal, and she finished in style. The rest of the half was played from end to end with the SU defense and goalkeeper Brittany Ross keeping the Bobcats at bay. That would not last, as Frostburg would score just before the half. They carried that momentum into the second half and scored 2 more goals within the first 17 minutes to go up 3-1.  However, this Stevenson Women's soccer team does not give up and they recorded one of the most amazing comebacks in SU soccer history. Freshman Taylor Zimmerman started the comeback with a 40 yard free-kick that sailed into the net. Then just over a minute later, a huge punt from keeper Lauren Weitzman sent Stephanie Eyler one on one with a Frostburg defender, with Eyler beating her then striking a sweet shot into the goal to level the game. The drama was not over,  as the Mustangs would grab the win with a brilliant headed goal from Melinda Kane after a great left footed cross from Ali Humphries. The Mustangs held on for the last 4 minutes to seal a remarkable 4-3 win. I am so proud of the players for not giving up and for showing great composure in front of goal. This was a huge TEAM win!!  

Mustangs Dominate McDaniel

After our long trip to Virginia Wesleyan last weekend the team was ready to go again on Wednesday at local rival, McDaniel College. The team played excellent with some strong defense and excellent passing. The girls moved the ball around well and created many chances, with 17 shots raining in on the Green Terror goal in the first half. The Mustangs would eventually make the breakthrough when a Katie Decker free-kick dropped at the feet of freshman Melinda Kane, who slotted in her second and the team's second goal of the season. SU continued to dominate and the one goal was enough to secure the win. A very strong and undefeated Frostburg team awaits the Mustangs on Saturday. 

SU Records First Win of 2009!

Today marked the day the SU women's soccer team got the ball rolling in the win column. After two hard fought games against Bridgewater and Virginia Wesleyan where the Mustangs did not get the results their efforts merited, the girls pulled off a brilliant team win today against a strong Christopher Newport team. In the first half, the Mustangs struggled with the heat and tiredness due to their exertions the day before against the Marlins when they had went to overtime but the girls battled hard to stay in the game. The 1-0 victory came courtesy of some strong defending from the entire team and from a sweet left foot strike from freshman Melinda Kane who was set-up by Stephanie Eyler. This was the first goal of the season for SU and one the Mustangs richly deserved. I am very proud of the players efforts this weekend on the road and it was a great trip with the team representing Stevenson in a very positive manner. Great job ladies!!  

Stevenson Almost Upsets #12 Virginia Wesleyan

The SU Women's soccer team put up a valiant effort against host and #12 ranked Virginia Wesleyan on Saturday in the Orthopaedic Classic. The team competed all over the field against a very strong side that reached the NCAA tournament last year. Unfortunately the Mustangs could not come away with the reward their effort deserved, falling 1-0 to a goal that was scored in the first overtime period. This was the second game in a week the Mustangs had went to overtime due to a very strong defensive effort. This was the Mustangs first defeat of the season leaving them at 0-1-1. 

SU Opens Season with Tie

Tuesday's season opener against Bridgewater College was a hard fought battle with two teams looking to start the season with a bang. The Mustangs started slow but they found their form in the second half. SU created several goal scoring chances but they could not find the net, sending the game to OT. The first OT period was very exciting with the Mustangs coming even closer on many occasions. However, no team could find that elusive goal and the game finished up tied. A great effort from the team and hopefully we can continue to impress this weekend at #12 ranked Virginia Wesleyan. Check out these photos taken by Mark Hergan:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/gomustangs/sets/72157622211242794/