After months of unsuccessful attempts, the Simon Fraser University women’s soccer team finally has a win in the books, defeating the Northwest Nazarene Crusaders 2–1 in overtime at home. In their first meeting earlier this season the two teams had tied in a 0-0 draw; As they took to Terry Fox Field for the rematch both teams were looking to take the season series.
The Crusaders struck first in the first half, and the first 45 ended with NNU up one. But the Clan were not ready to go down without a fight, pressuring the visitors relentlessly until freshman Sophie D’Souza was able to even the score.
The game then went to overtime and it looked like it could end with a similar result to their first meeting, but the Clan continued to press. This time, after a scramble in the box, freshman Kate Pearsall netted the go-ahead goal for the Clan, and the lead would stand without much contention from the Crusaders over the rest of the period. Keeper Simone Tessler also had six saves in the team’s first win of the season.
It was an exciting game for a team that has shown heart and moments of brilliance throughout the season, but struggled to capitalize and produce results.
Unfortunately, the Clan were unable to build a win streak as two days later at their seniors game they fell to the Montana State University Billings Yellowjackets 3–0. The two-game split brings their conference record to 1–11–2 on the season.
Before the game, seniors Abbey Vogt, Marissa Di Lorenzo, Yva Rodriguez and Jenna Piovesan were honoured for their contributions to the Clan as they played in their final home game.
The team also received off-the-field accolades this past week as three team members were named to the Great Northwest Athletic Conference All-Academic team. Di Lorenzo, honoured for her third consecutive year, was, joined by juniors Ali Trenter in her second time honoured and Aja Choy-Halo, a first time honouree. To be eligible for the GNAC academic team, student-athletes must be a letter winner, have a minimum grade point average of 3.20 and be in at least their second year of competition at their university.
The women’s squad will now turn their attention to their final games of the season hitting the road to close their conference schedule with the intensity and heart shown in their first win of the season.
