Luke Gadson – Sports Editor
Coming off their first win of the season last week against Post University with a score of 6-0, the Owls definitely had momentum coming into Tuesday’s matchup with Holy Family. The Owls secured their second straight victory against Holy Family with the score showing 2-0 when the final buzzer sounded. This is also the second straight shutout win for the Owls, acknowledging the suffocating defense they have shown. Credit to goalkeeper Abigail Aughe, a junior, who has had five saves and zero goals allowed over these past two games.
Offensively, the Owls excelled, scoring a goal in each half. The team was opening up shots on goal for each other and individually throughout the game. Specifically, forward Kelsey Burr, a graduate student, was carving up the defense of Holy Family with an excellent display of what she can do with the ball in her possession. “It was actually part of our gameplan today, because we knew how their defense stepped up,” Burr said. “They wanted to follow me far back, wherever I went, so I kind of took advantage of that knowing they would be on my back to turn them and be able to dribble,” Burr continued. The two goals of the night were scored by Kelsey Burr and forward Kylee Slavik, a junior, both of whom have scored a goal in their last two outings. After missing on a shot, Burr was determined to score. “Right before the goal actually happened, I had an opportunity, but couldn’t put it away. So, I had some fire in me, and I was like I am going to score now,” said Burr. The second goal of the game, scored by Slavik, was opened up by a great pass assisted by forward, Alexie Rosado, a senior. “It felt good. I was right in front of the net; Alexie Rosado played the ball in, and I just tapped it in. It’s always good to see the ball in the back of the net,” said Slavik.
The leaders of the team stepping up was essential to the Owls victory on Tuesday. Head Coach Adam Cohen stated, “The team is starting to take over the team, in the best possible way. It’s going from a coach-led team to a player-led team, and we’re starting to see the results of that on the field.” Coach Cohen is also enthused to see skills worked on in practice, showing up when the pressure is on during game time. “Overall confidence, how they are going to defend, and creating goal-scoring chances, so you can see it. They take some of the ideas from training and put it right on the field, so I appreciate their effort and their attitude,” said Coach Cohen.
The Owls’ win over Holy Family puts them in a good position, pushing their record past .500 to 2-1-1 right before conference play. The team still has one more non-conference game, but they know they are ready to take on the NE-10. “I think our team is finally starting to get into the NE-10 mindset, we’re hitting the ball in the back of the net, and we’re starting to play off of each other,” said Kylee Slavik. “It’s all coming together.”
