Today: Mar 18, 2024

Women’s soccer loses to Saint Rose as playoff chances slim

Kenny BaahContributor

In their last home game of the season, with just two games left in regular season play, the Owls lost to the Golden Knights of Saint Rose 2-1 in a game that tested Southern’s playoff potential.

Before kickoff, the Owls took the time to honor their 8-player senior class, including forward Johanna Wahlen, midfielders, Giavanna Colaccino, Juliana Santos, Marisa Grisell and Makeala Magee, defenders, Olivia Holubecki, Paula Nunez and Kelly Lamb and goalkeeper Allie Smith. The seniors were celebrated for their contributions to the soccer team which has seen the program make strides towards getting better in the last few years.

“It’s made me feel part of another family,” said Collaccino. “We’re all one,
we have each other’s backs, and it’s made my college experience 100 times better.”

Grisell said over the course of her four-year career as an Owl, she has learned more than just stategies and knowledge on the field. She said she has learned about family and hard work thanks to her team.

“Soccer in general teaches you a lot, like leadership, time management, but being a part of this team at a college like this,” said Grisell. “You build relationships, and it helps you get through some of the toughest times because you know that you could come here and do what you love and be here with people you respect.”

The Owls were coming off a 1-1 tie against American International college on Oct. 30 that saw Santos score early to help get an advantage for the Owls. The Golden Knights on the other hand, had just beaten Adelphi 3-0 also on Oct. 30. In the opening minutes, the Owls dominated possessions, recording two shots on goal by Wahlen in the first five minutes. Wahlen currently leads the Owls in assists along with tallying two goals this season.

In the 30th minute, the Owls fell behind after cross from the right was headed into the net by a Golden Knight forward, giving Saint Rose a 1-0 lead. The Owls looked to reverse the deficit in the second half, applying pressure on both sides fo the field to bring the game back to level terms.

While the Owls recorded five shots in the half, with three of them being on goal, Saint Rose extended their lead to 2-0 from a penalty kick from Nina Predanic in the 54th minute. The Owls only goal of the night came out of luck, when a Saint Rose player scored an own goal when the ball was played into the box and went in the net from a miscue from Saint Rose in the 79th minute. Eventually, the Owls lost 2-1.

The Owls stayed in contention throughout the game, thanks to the eight saves made by goalkeeper, Allie Smith, a senior. Smith is currently ranked second in saves in the NE10 conference this season with 91 saves and first in save percentage with .835 percent.

However, the Owls eventually lost.

This result puts the Owls record at 8-6-3 overall, and 5-4-3 in the NE10 conference as the playoffs approach. The Owls are now seventh in the conference and must win their final game of the season against Stonehill College in order to qualify for the conference playoffs. Road games, such as the one that will decide if the Owls make the playoffs or not, have not been favorable for Southern, as the team currently bolsters 2-4-2 on the road. Owls head coach, Adam Cohen complimented his team’s discipline throughout the season despite the result.

“I think they’re organized, you know they’ve done a lot of really good things in terms of how they attack and how they defend,” said Cohen. “And I just think that we want to make sure we can go as far as we can this season.”

Photo credit: Izzy Manzo

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