vs. University of Chicago
WHITEWATER, Wisconsin – A double overtime thriller for the Capital University women's soccer team, as they defeated the University of Chicago, 1-0, in double overtime in round one of the NCAA Division III women's soccer tournament.
Late game heroics were awarded to sophomore Mariah Richards, who tapped in a corner kick by freshman Claire Quinn in the 102nd minute.
The score was no ordinary one though, as Quinn's textbook corner kick was driven down in a scrum of Crusaders in the box, to which Richards came up with and sneaked the ball into the net just outside the goal line in the box.
"Very exciting to see Claire (Quinn) and Mariah (Richards) connect on that corner kick," said head coach Chris Kouns.
The lone goal of the match came after over 100 minutes passed, to which neither team managed to get a clean shot on goal, leading to 12 minutes of extra time.
"We're extremely excited to advance to the round of 32," Kouns said. "We've talked all year about how greatness awaits, and we have an opportunity to do something special tomorrow should we win and notch another school record in advancing again in the NCAA Tournament."
As the game progressed in the first half of play, both teams exerted a very physical style of play, to which the referees controlled by issuing a combined 16 fouls between Capital and Chicago in the opening frame.
"I was very pleased with the defensive effort tonight," Kouns said. "In the midst of gusty winds, I thought the first half was played well in keeping the ball on the ground and neutralizing Chicago's success in handling the ball."
The Maroons managed to unload 17 total shots in the first half, four of them coming on goal, while the Crusaders tallied six total shots in the opening half.
"When we switched sides after halftime, we lost a bit of our focus playing with the wind," Kouns said. "That was disappointing not being able to put the game away in the second half, but once again, a testament to this team's resilience, as we went against the wind again in overtime, maintaining strong composure, keeping the ball in front of us, finding a way to win."
In total, Chicago outshot Capital, 22 to seven, but the Crusaders came up with the all-important shot for goal, extending their win streak to seven, dating back to Oct. 22.
Leading the way for the Crusaders was Richards, scoring her second goal of the year, while Quinn picked up her third assist on the season.
Senior goalkeeper Maggie Donnellan saved all seven shots on goal that she faced, locking down Capital's goal for the fourth straight game.
"We've been keying in on what it means to play focused throughout championships and tournaments," Kouns said. "And that's what we did here tonight."
With the win, the Capital (17-4-1) advances to the second round of the NCAA Division III women's soccer Tournament, taking on the host, and No. 16 nationally ranked, University of Wisconsin Whitewater on Sunday at 5 p.m.
"A quick turnaround tomorrow as we face a very good Whitewater team," Kouns said. "Once again, we will do our best to put on another show like we did tonight."
vs. University of Wisconsin- Whitewater
MILWAUKEE, Wisconsin - The Capital University women's soccer team advanced to the round of 16 in the NCAA Division III Tournament for the first time in the program's history on Sunday night, defeating unbeaten and No. 16 nationally ranked University of Wisconsin Whitewater, 1-0.
Originally, the Warhawks were set to host the Crusaders on day two of the opening two rounds of the NCAA Tournament, but following severe weather conditions that swept across the Midwest, the game was forced to move north away from the torrential rain and storms.
Both teams traveled just over an hour to the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee to fit the game in on Sunday night, pushing the originally scheduled game time back two and a half hours to 7:30 p.m.
"We honestly came out with the same game plan that we had against Chicago on Saturday," said head coach Chris Kouns. "Our team played scrappy and really stymied Whitewater's attack."
In the first half of play, both Capital and Wisconsin Whitewater struggled to get much going offensively, as nearly every ball driven in the air was caught up in the gusty winds.
However in the 43rd minute, sophomore Mariah Richards, who scored the game winning goal in round one on Saturdaynight, found a ball from sophomoreMaura Fortino and tapped it into the back of the net for the score.
"Once again, another set piece, something we have been working on," Kouns said. "For the second game in a row, Mariah (Richards) came up with the game winning goal for us."
Perhaps the best opportunity for the Warhawks came midway through the opening frame, as they had three shots on the ground within five feet of the net, to which senior goalkeeper Maggie Donnellan denied each one.
"We didn't have a great first half," Kouns said. "But players such as Maura (Fortino), Mariah (Richards), and Jamie (Murray) helped us stick to our game I'm the opening half."
Richards' goal proved the be highlight of the first half for the Crusaders, as they took a 1-0 lead into halftime.
"Scoring a goal in the first half and having the lead helps you heading into the next half, too," Kouns said. "Then you know that you have a little momentum as a team."
As the second half of play progressed, both teams battled for position and ball control, as the Warhawks were trying to even the score, whereas the Crusaders were trying to pad their lead with another goal.
Neither team could manufacture a clean look on breakaway passing, as once again Capital's back line displayed superb defending throughout the match.
With under 15 minutes left in the game, the sense of urgency was apparent for the Warhawks, as their 21 game unbeaten streak was beginning to topple for the first time this season.
Then as the game clock winded down to zero, the Crusaders stormed the field in elation after advancing, 1-0, and recording the program's best win total (18), trumping the previous record (17) set back in 1998.
Leading the way for the Crusaders was Richards, netting her third goal of the season and second in as many NCAA Tournament games.
Donnellan recorded her fifth consecutive shutout, improving her record in goal to 18-4-1 on the year, while stopping all six shots on goal that she faced.
Fortino also tallied her third assist on the lone goal of the match.
"I'm just so proud and excited for this group," Kouns said. "I could go on and on about each player tonight, because they all played that well. We have an opportunity to once again go one step further."
With the win, Capital (18-4-1) moves on to face a familiar opponent from earlier in the season in No. 14 nationally ranked Thomas More (Ky.), playing in the round of 16 hosted by Washington University (Mo.).
Capital handed Thomas More (17-1-2) its lone loss of the season on Sept. 11 at the Saints' home field, winning 2-1 in double overtime.
At the time, the Saints were ranked No. 14 in the nation.
"We're certainly familiar with Thomas More," Kouns said. "We know that we can match up and compete with them. But, at the NCAA Tournament level it's going to be a different level of competition, so we are excited for the challenge."
To read complete stories and check out the box scores visit our website: http://athletics.capital.edu/sports/wsoc/index
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