NSCAA Honors

We are so proud to announce that select players have received NSCAA honors!
 
Maura Fortino and Becca Cartmill have received NSCAA All Great Lakes Region!

Maura Fortino, one of our Junior Captains, ended her season with 22 games started, 4 goals, 3 assists, and a total of 11 points for the year. She really made strides this season as she doubled her goals from last year, one of them a game winner and added on to her assists. Over her career Maura has accumulated 21 points from her midfield position.
 
Becca Cartmill, a sophomore, ended her season racking up a total of 23 games started, 8 goals, 8 assists and a total of 24 points. She has doubled her goals from last season to this one and 2 of them were game winners. Over her career Becca has accumulated a total of 42 points from her forward position.

Mariah Richards, Maura Fortino, and Kim Leitch have received NSCAA Scholar All-East Region!

Mariah Richards, one of our junior captains, ended her season with 24 games started, 2 goals, and a total of 4 points! Over her entire career she has accumulated a total of 20 points from her defensive and midfield positions! She also came away with a 3.44 GPA in the Biology Program!

Maura Fortino also received this award coming away with a 3.97 GPA in the Public Relations Program!

Kim Leitch, a junior goalkeeper, ended her season with 20 games started, 27 saves in conference, a total of 82 saves, along with 8 total shut outs! She also held steady a 3.47 GPA in the Electronic Media & Film Program!

 

Congratulations to our athletes! Keep up the good work!

NCAA Tournament

This past weekend the team traveled to Mechanicsburg Pennsylvania to play in the 1st and 2nd round of the NCAA Tournament. The drive was long and the weather was cold but our Crusaders fought through all the adversity to prove themselves.

On Saturday November 15th at 1:30 we kicked off against Gettysburg College. We started off slow and timid but as time went on the girls found their edge and began to play as a team. Despite Gettysburg's 6 shots on goal to our 1 in the first half , our defense held strong and stopped all of their attacks. In the second half we stepped up our offensive game and tallied up 5 shots on goal to the Gettysburg's 6. At the end of regular time the game was still scoreless and we went into overtime. Our team was patient and smart as we managed the game while trying to attack and create scoring opportunities. At the end of 2 overtimes neither team had scored so we moved to PKs.

Gettysburg's first shooter came up to the plate and made her shot. Our first shooter was Emily Krause who calmly shot to the left post and made it. Gettysburg's second shooter also made it. Our second shooter was Kaitlyn Semelsberger who also made her shot as did the Gettysburg's shooter. Our third shooter, Jackie Kelly, hit the ball nicely but the Gettysburg keeper got a hand on it and saved it. Gettysburg's shooter made it her shot, while Shelby Johnson followed up with a great hit that went in. Gettysburg's next shot was saved by Kim Leitch who made the game even. Monique Hanayik stepped up next and placed her ball nicely in the net. The next Gettysburg shooter hit her ball over the goal and then Maura Fortino stepped up to take her shot. She hit it perfectly in the side of the net winning the game 5-4! After a quick celebration we started to prepare for our next match against Messiah.

 

 

The girls were tired and sore from playing 110 minutes on Saturday but new they had to start preparing for Messiah on Sunday! Our game began at 5pm and immediately we realized how much of a battle this game would be. Messiah came out guns blazing and much more rested than our girls. Even though they had an advantage our team hung in there and gave Messiah a challenge. We took a little while to adjust to the speed of play and in the first half we gave up 2 goals. At half time however our girls rallied together and decided not to give up and to fight back. They wanted to leave their mark and prove that they deserved to be in this game.

 

When they stepped on the field it was a completely different team than the first  half. They were organized, strong, and played quickly. Unfortunately we gave up an early goal on a goalkeeping error, but our team did not sit back. Only 2 minutes after Messiah's goal we were back in their half fighting for the ball and creating chances. Maura Fortino was scrapping in the box against a Messiah defender and miraculously got the ball to Mary Bushee who took a shot. It was deflected by a Messiah defender and rolled to the top of the box. Chloe Brown ran onto the ball, struck it one time and placed it far post!!

 

The game went on as we fought hard and kept attacking and creating chances. Even though our effort was there, we were unable to score again. The final score was 1-5 which does not accurately depict the game at all.

 

This team dug down deep and went out giving everything they had. They never sat back or admitted defeat and they played until the last seconds of the game. This season has been a great journey and has proven the character and heart of our players. They have done tremendous things as a team as well as individually and we cannot wait to continue to grow in the future.

 

Thank you to everyone who travelled, watched, and supported us on this incredible journey.

GO CRUSADERS

 



NCAA Selection Show

Yesterday, Monday November 10th at 1pm was the NCAA Selection Show which revealed all of the pods, who teams played, and where they are being sent!

We have been placed in a pod with Brooklyn, Gettysburg, and Messiah. On November 15th we head to Mechanicsburg Pennsylvania to face off against Gettysburg in the first round. Below is the link to the announcement along with our bracket!

Follow along with us as we take the next step in our season and continue the journey of excellence!

GO CRUSADERS!

 

 

 

 

 

OAC Championship

Today we faced off against Baldwin Wallace to fight for the conference title. Our team was ready for battle and to walk away as champions once again. We came out of the gates with full force and attacked quickly and effectively! In the second minute Claire Quinn played a diagonal flighted ball that broke the BW back line. Shelby Johnson ran onto it, dribbled right at the keeper, and placed the ball past  her putting us on the board! As we all rejoiced the girls rallied up and decided to continue the quick pace and offensive pressure. In the third minute Becca Cartmill found herself with the ball in the middle of the field and passed it wide to Morgan Austin, who left her place at right back, and advanced up the field with pace. As she dribble towards goal she saw an opportunity and shot the ball which soared into the far post! With the score 2-0 our Crusaders received higher pressure and physicality from the BW team. There was a tremendous battle through the midfield and each team fought to keep possession and attack the opposing goals. Even though the game was tougher and more physical, Amanda Kachaylo, among others, fought through it and helped us to our third goal. She received the ball out on the right flank and took on the BW defender who she blew past on the dribble. As she approached the end line she slotted the ball back towards the pk spot and Mary Bushee ran on, hit it one time, and scored! We ended the half 3-0.

The whole team anticipated that the BW players would come out stronger and harder than the first half and they did. Early in the half we allowed them a corner kick which resulted in a scramble in the box. Despite the BW efforts, our Crusaders cleared the ball and reorganized to keep the ball away from our goal. The battle continued and the game went back and forth between the teams. In the 67th minute however we took our efforts and made them count! Emily Krause received the ball, turned a defender and crossed the ball into the box. Shelby Johnson ran onto the pass, hit it one time, and placed it into the near post! Although we scored and had exceptional efforts afterwards, the BW attack snuck one past us in the 69th minute. After their goal the whole team stepped it up and finished the game strong. As the minutes counted down we knew that we had the game! Once it was over the girls stormed the field as they captured their 3rd conference championship in 4 years!

This win truly was a team effort and every player made it possible for us to win the championship! Not only did we come out strong but we ended strong as well! Tomorrow Monday November 10th at 1pm is the NCAA pooling where we will find out who our next opponent is! Stay up to date with us as we embark on another NCAA tournament run! A huge thank you for everyone who has supported us along this journey and will continue to support us as we advance!

Semi-Finals vs. ONU

Yesterday afternoon we took the trip to Ohio Northern University to play in the Semi-Finals of the OAC Tournament. ONU beat us in the regular season 0-1 at home and our team knew how important it was to win the game and prove that we deserve to advance to the final. Despite the rain and wind our girls fought hard through the challenges and walked away with another W!

As the game began it became clear that it would be a battle for possession and the team that could attack at speed the most effectively would be the victors. The first few minutes was back and forth with both teams attacking and trying to get the competitive advantage and control the game. We started off a little slow and allowed ONU to accumulate 4 corner kicks within 20 minutes. On the flip side we prevented every attack, defended hard and kept the game scoreless at the half.

In the second half the weather picked up and made the field exceptionally slick with gusts of wind that manipulated the ball. The girls knew that they had 45 minutes to seal the deal and began the half attempting to gain control over the play. Again however we came out slow while ONU came out fast and attacked our goal with vengeance. Our defending however kept strong and between our back line and our keeper, Kim Leitch, we stopped all of their attempts. Half way through, we began to play our game and started winning the 50/50 balls out of the air and distributing creatively to our forwards. We attacked at speed and took it to their defense and keeper showing our true skill and heart. After many shots on goals that were either saved, deflected, or wide we finally set up an opportunity in the 70th minute and capitalized. Shelby Johnson won the ball wide of the goal, dribbled across the face and shot far post beating the keeper! After the goal we buckled down on defense and managed the game until the time ran out. As the announcer counted down the final seconds the team rejoiced and stormed the field celebrating the win!

With the win against ONU we advance to the conference championship which will be held at Bernlohr Stadium at Capital University against Baldwin Wallace. The game will take place on Sunday November 9th with a kick off time of 2pm. Lets fill the stands and support our team as they fight for another championship!

GO CRUSADERS!

 

 

First Round OAC Tournament vs. JCU

It was a great day for soccer as we entered the Ohio Athletic Conference tournament today! We faced John Carroll University who stunned us in regular play, beating us with only 40 seconds left in overtime. Today the tables turned however as we walked away with a win advancing us to the semi-finals!

Right off the bat the girls were hyped up and ready to battle for redemption! We started off with high pressure in every third of the field forcing many turnovers. When we won the ball we attacked at speed looking to combine and create opportunities. Within the first 10 minutes alone we had 6 shots on goal, one hitting the post and miraculously saved by the keeper. Although we had a total of 14 shots on goal, a corner kick, and countless chances to take the lead we ended the half tied at zeros.

After a short break at the half the Crusaders were rejuvenated and ready to face another 45 minutes of play. We won 50/50 balls out of our midfield and defense and transitioned quickly into the attack. In the first 10 minutes of play we accumulated a corner kick and 4 shots on goal. The JCU attack accumulated a few corner kicks and shots on goal but our defense held strong and cleared away every chance they had. Towards the end of the half we really pushed our play into gear and racked up another 10 shots on goal with 3 more corner kicks! Despite our clearly dominant possession we were unable to sink the ball into the net, so we went into overtime.

The time started and our players went into overdrive as they chased down every opportunity with a drive unmatched by the JCU team. Only 4 minutes into the game, Becca Cartmill won the ball out of the air and dribbled at goal. She blasted a shot at the keeper who blocked it but knocked it loose. Shelby Johnson, already on her run towards goal, put a foot on it and knocked it past the keeper and their tracking defenders into the net winning the game 1-0! This win was well deserved as the entire team put their whole hearts into this game and were able to redeem themselves against JCU.

We will travel to Ohio Northern University on Thursday, November 6 with a kick off at 4pm for the semi-final game! Although it is an away game we do hope to have our CapFam cheering us on and supporting us! GO CRUSADERS!

11/1/14 vs. Baldwin Wallace

Our last regular season game was held this past Saturday at Bernlohr Stadium against Baldwin Wallace. Since our regular conference play was coming to an end the team knew how important this game was in regards to our conference tournament seed and they had prepared tremendously throughout the previous week.

The Crusaders came out of the gates ready to play hard and battle for this win! Only a couple minutes into play we were set up with a free kick just yards outside BW's box. Claire Quinn placed the ball perfectly at the near post where Mary Bushee ran on, used her body and pushed the ball into the net. As we celebrated the goal the ref, however ended our excitement with an offsides call. A wave of defeat swept across our girls as they tried to shake off the sudden halt in momentum. Around 20 minutes into play we caused a foul around half field. With the wind in Baldwin Wallace's favor, their center back struck the ball and it floated across the field and into the top of our goal. Once BW scored their goal we realized that the rest of the game would be a fight for the win. At the end of the half we were losing 0-1.

The team regrouped and made a point to start and maintain the advantage in the second half. We were determined to even the score and played extremely hard to create many opportunities at goal. As we contained the Baldwin Wallace's attack and attempted at our own, the time dwindled down. At the 81st minute we had a corner and everyone knew that they had to make it count. Shelby Johnson played the ball in to the box and each team scrambled to gain possession. The ball was knocked out but met by Becca Cartmill who reserved it into the box. Morgan Austin made contact and the ball ended up in the vicinity of  Mary Bushee who got a head on it and placed it side netting! With the game tied 1-1 the Crusaders took the momentum of the goal and attacked the BW defense. Although tremendous effort was made to go forward we were unable to score ending regular time in a tie.

Our team knew the reality of overtime in the fact that they could end it as quickly as they wanted. They had momentum and a great desire to win the game which translated onto the field. In the first 6 minutes we accumulated 3 corner kicks and 5 shots on goal. In the 7th minute we were fouled around the 25 yard mark. Claire Quinn saw an opportunity far post and put the ball exactly there. Waiting was Mariah Richards who gained an advantage over a defender, put her head on the ball and knocked it far post into the goal! We had won the game and the team was overjoyed as they bombarded the field!

We ended regular play third in the conference. Our first tournament game is tomorrow November 4th at home against John Carroll University. We kick off at 2pm! See you there!

Senior Night

Last night we played against Heidelberg! There was a great energy in our stadium as we honored our one and only senior Jessica Cermelj! She is the lone survivor of her incoming class as she persevered through her 4 years! Not only has Jess made it four year on this team but she has also left her legacy behind. She puts her whole heart into everything she does and it really shows how much she cares about this team and her teammates! During the game against Heidelberg Jess gained a point as she had 1 assist and 2 shots on goal! She battled hard and contributed to our team win 5-1!

 

 

 

 As the game started Heidelberg took off on the offensive. Our girls struggled to adjust to the game at first, allowing a goal by heidelberg in a moment of weakness. Once they realized that we were down they huddled up and decided to change the way they were playing and to take control of the game. 4 minutes after the Heidelberg goal Jess Cermelj found the ball in the middle of the Field and played it through the defense to Becca Cartmill who ran on, took the keeper and placed the ball in the back of the net! After the first goal the Crusaders kept the momentum and really took it to Heidelberg. Our next goal came from Mary Bushee who won the ball in the back on defense, took her space and dribbled aggressively up the field. She found herself at the top of the box and ambitiously took a shot which landed in the far side of the net! Soon after our second goal a great defensive act kept the scoring going. Taylor Atkins and Shelby Johnson both pressured the ball up top and Shelby won the ball and took off towards goal. Shelby blasted the ball past the goalie leaving us in the lead 3-1 at the end of the first half!

In the second half we changed up our lineup and went into full attack mode. The girls came out strong and determined to keep the scoring going. 8 minutes into the half Amanda Kachaylo received the ball out wide and took on her defender towards goal. She beat the Heidelberg D and slotted the ball across the box to Mary Bushee who shot the ball and it landed in the back of the net! Again a few minutes later, Amanda Kachaylo took on a defender, beat her and then passed the ball on to Becca Cartmill who shot far post and hit the side netting! We ended the game winning 5-1!

Not only was the win a wonderful way to end senior night for Jess, but also a great way to pick up our attack and work great together as a team! Our next game is this Saturday against Baldwin Wallace! We will face off at Bernlohr Stadium at 11am! Come out and support us with your Purple Pride!!

10/25 vs. John Carroll

On Saturday we travelled to John Carroll for a tough game that left us all feeling disheartened.

As we step onto the field for the first half the team had a great energy about them and within minutes we were set up with a corner kick. Claire Quinn placed the ball at the corner and hit it perfectly near post to Maura Fortino who was ready at the near post! Maura flicked the ball with her head past the keeper and into the goal! The girls were ecstatic as they took the lead. The energy stayed consistant through the first half as we fought for possession and to increase our lead. At the half we were up 1-0.

As the second half began both teams were struggling to gain the upper hand. We gave up a corner kick and John Carroll took advantage of their opportunity. The ball was played into the box where both teams fought to win the ball. As the box flooded with people the ball was kicked past our keeper tying up the game at 1s. For the rest of the half we went on the offensive and had countless opportunities to finish the game. Unfortunately however we were unable to sink our chance. At the end of regular time the game was still tied 1-1 so we went into overtime.

Going into overtime the girls came out fierce and created opportunities that we again were unable to capitalize on. After the first ten minutes the girls came off the field to recoop and prepare for the second overtime. We fought hard and both teams were exhausted as we tried to gain the upper hand. We held out strong until the last minute when their team played a ball over our backs heads. They tracked fast but were unable to stop the JCU forward as she placed the ball past our keeper and into the net. The game was over and a wave of defeat swept our team. We had many opportunities to put the game away but were unsuccessful in our attempts.

After the game however our parents were there to cheer the girls up and feed them with a wonderful meal! We thank you so much for all the effort and time you put into making our players feel at home and giving them a much needed emotional boost after a tough loss.

We have two days of hard work ahead of us in prepartation for our senior night Wednesday against Heidelberg. Kick off is at 4pm. Please come and cheer on your Crusaders and our one and only senior Jessica Cermelj! GO CRUSADERS!

10/21 vs. Marietta

Yesterday we took the 2 hour drive out to Marietta to play in our 6th conference game. As soon as we got there the bad weather started to come down on us. The field was already muddy and slick and the consistent rain made it even more challenging. Despite the clear negatives of the weather and the beaten down field our Crusaders came out strong and determined to make a statement. The team worked well together and transitioned quickly creating a ton of scoring opportunities! In the first half alone we had 14 shots on goal resulting in 3 goals! The first was a cross from Amanda Kachaylo which was run down by Chloe Brown who placed it far post! Only four minutes later we scored again when Maura Fortino slotted the ball across the box where Amanda Kachaylo got on the end of it and finished! Then again 5 minutes later Becca Cartmill struck the ball towards goal, the goalie deflected it and Becca, who didn't give up on the shot, followed up and hit it into the goal! Her tenacity and efforts from the team left us up 3-0 at the half.

Going into the second half the girls were pumped from our success in the first half. They came out fierce and quickly began to attack creating more scoring opportunities. Five minutes into the second half Maura Fortino, once again, crossed the ball through the box to Amanda Kachaylo who placed it in the lower far corner! After the momentum of a quick goal the girls won the ball back. Claire Quinn took a shot from outside the box that hit the cross bar and bounced back into the box, Maura Fortino quickly saw the ball coming back out and sprinted to finish! 10 minutes later we gained a corner kick which was struck nicely by Claire Quinn. The ball was greeted by Mariah Richards at the near post who jumped up and headed it down and into the box! 9 minutes after that Monique Hanayik dribbled the ball down the field, took it to the end line and slotted it back towards Shelby Johnson who was making her way to goal. Shelby placed the ball one time past the keeper for our final goal of the game!

The Crusaders moved the ball quickly and fought hard for every 50/50 chance and we really used this game as an opportunity to get better and gain confidence in our attack. We had great efforts individually and as a group which is why we were able to create and finish so many opportunities! We are excited to face John Carroll this Saturday at 6pm at their field! Preparation and determination are key the next few days as we prepare for our next opportunity for greatness!

Busy Weekend

This past weekend the girls had fall break and along with that they were given a break from soccer as well. The pressures of school, soccer, social lives, and family were weighing heavily on our athletes and it was obvious they were ready for a day or two off and that's exactly what they got. On Friday, with classes cancelled, a group of players went the The Maize as bonding time and an opportunity to have some fun. The day was fantastic for hay rides, pumpkin patches, mazes, and campfires. It was a wonderful time and everyone truly enjoyed themselves!

 Saturday at Bernlohr Stadium we faced Ohio Northern with a kick off of 11am. The game started out smooth as we possessed the ball and moved it around purposefully. Unfortunately however, after a string of mistakes on our end Ohio Northern scored just 11 minutes into play. The rest of the half became a battle for possession and for control of the game.

In the second half our Crusaders came out fierce, took control and dominated the play. They kept the ball in our offensive half the rest of the game and had countless attempts at goal. We had 18 shots on goal but they all fell short of scoring. Even though we kept the ball, created chances, and fought for every opportunity to score we were unable to finish. The game ended in a loss 0-1. Even though the outcome was unfavorable, we were able to see points and areas that need to be addressed and everyday we can work to get better in those specific areas. We are preparing for our next match tomorrow against Marietta. Kick off is at 4pm at the Marietta Soccer Complex.

10/11 vs Otterbein

This past Saturday we went to Westerville to face our conference rival Otterbein. There was electric energy in the air as we took the field for our third conference match. In the first half both teams struggled to gain possession and it was difficult for us to transition into the offensive third. Our defense held strong however and the half ended scoreless.

Going into the second half it was clear that the game had turned to a physical battle as both teams eagerly attempted to create scoring opportunities. Our offense created a few scoring chances but came up short despite creative efforts from Becca Cartmill and Shelby Johnson. Our defense was solid and held off the Otterbein attack with Chloe Brown clearing a shot off the line and Kim Leitch saving everything that came her way. After 90 minutes of play the game was still scoreless so we went into 2 overtimes playing a total of 110 minutes. We ended in a tie 0-0 against our rivals leaving us 2-0-1 in the conference. Exceptional play by Kaitlyn Semelsberger in the back to keep things organized and she fought hard the entire 110 minutes.

Although we would have liked a win, it is always hard going on the road to play a rival and we fought hard through the long match. We have areas to work through and we will work hard the next couple days before we play against Wilmington on Wednesday at home at 4pm! See you there!

10/7 vs. Muskingum

Our second conference opponent was Muskingum and we faced them at their place last night at 7pm. The beginning of the half we came out strong, possessed the ball, passed and moved quickly giving us control of the game. Although we were in control we struggled to get solid scoring opportunities but in the 33 minute Maura Fortino got control of the ball and rocketed it towards goal. The ball hit off of a Muskingum defender and found its place in the side of the net. The half ended with the Crusaders winning 1-0.

The second half the team rallied together and decided to come out strong and within a minute of the half we scored. Mary Bushee made a run up the sideline from her defensive position, won the ball, beat a defender and struck the ball upper 90. Her efforts left us up 2-0 just minutes into the second half. Despite our efforts we were unsuccessful in getting any more goals. We managed the game, continued to attack, but ultimately could not advance. We won the game 2-0 making it our second conference win along with our fourth win in a row.

This Saturday we take on Otterbein in a rival game against our third conference opponent. We play away with a kick off at 1pm. We are excited for the opportunity of a winning streak of 5 games. Our preparation and focus are key this week as we plan for our next battle! Go Crusaders!

Red Card Cancer Game

On Saturday we had our Red Card Cancer game that raised money for the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center research and treatment program. Our opponent was Mt. Union and they joined us in the fight against cancer and helped us raise funds! We came together for a greater cause and raised over $1,400! We sold t-shirts and accepted donations for wristbands and both sets of fans were very generous in helping us reach our goals!

Each team had honorary captains who were either cancer survivors or cancer fighters and they were recognized for their courage in fighting such an intimidating and life altering sickness. They participated in the coin toss and were able to sit on the bench and cheer on their teams!

As we started the game both teams came out strong but soon we took possession of the ball and started to work the game around creating chances. Half way through the first half, at the 23rd minute, Amanda Kachaylo took her dribble towards the 18 box and hit a lofted shot that went over the keepers head! This effort left us up 1-0 at the end of the first half!

At the start of the second half, Capital took charge and aggressively went on the offensive creating a scoring opportunity only 57 seconds later! Becca Cartmill had the ball outside the 18 and passed it into the box to Maura Fortino who finished low in the corner! 14 minutes later Amanda Kachaylo once again took the ball towards the goal and played the ball past the keeper! The game ended with the Crusaders ahead 3-0 in our first conference game of the year!

This game was a great confidence booster and really showed the potential of our team! We fought hard, played smart, and there was an immense amount of effort from everyone who stepped on the field! Today we take on Muskingum at their place at 7pm! Wish us luck as we take on our second conference opponent of the year!

9/30/14 vs. Ohio Wesleyan

Last night our girls went to Ohio Wesleyan in their last game before conference play. As we started the game we struggled to play to our strengths and had succumb to pressure from the opponent leaving ourselves in a frantic state. Our efforts were evident at an individual level but not quite there as a team. Ending the first half the score was tied at zeros and a frustration took over the team.

Entering the second half we began to connect the dots but in a moment of weakness Ohio Wesleyan scored the first goal in the 62nd minute. After stopping further attempts from the opponent the Crusaders kicked it into gear with a drive by Becca Cartmill who shot to the far post. As it looked like it was going just wide of the goal, Monique Hanayik sprinted to the post, got a foot on the ball, and placed it in the back of the net. This great exertion of effort by both girls left the game tied at 1-1 with only 3 minutes left in regular play. The last 3 minutes we took off in the offensive to win the game but our chances fell short pushing us into overtime.

Before the first overtime the girls came together and decided that they were going to come out strong and win the game, which they did! Only 3 minutes into over time, and after countless shots on goal, the ball fell into the feet of Maura Fortino who shot it past the keeper winning the game. This was Maura's first goal of the season and well deserved after she gave a tremendous effort for the full game and left everything on the field. Honorable mentions from the game were also Mary Bushee who worked extremely hard and never gave up, along with Chloe Brown who stayed strong in the back and fought hard throughout the game.

This Saturday we take on our first conference opponent Mt. Union at home for our Red Card Cancer game.We will be selling t-shirts, wristbands and more to raise awareness and funds for cancer research. We hope you will join us and help us raise money for a great cause along with cheering on your Crusaders. Kick off is at 4pm!

9/27/14 vs. Earlham

This past Saturday we took on Earlham at home in our second to last game before our conference play. The first half started a little slow as we began to get our feet and a good rhythm for the game. 30 minutes in we had our first goal shot by Claire Quinn off a long ball played by Morgan Austin. After the first goal was put in the net we really got rolling! Entering the second half we picked up the pace, kept possession, and went on the offensive! With a total of 15 shots in the second half we were bound to sink some into the net! In the 63rd minute of play Mary Bushee finished a chance off a ball played by Shelby Johnson making the game 2-0. Only 9 minutes later Taylor Atkins used her body to beat the keeper near post off a corner kick played by Shelby. Then only 3 minutes after, Shelby scored by intercepting a misplayed ball by Earlham's defense. The final score of the game was 4-0 giving us the current record of 6-3!

The whole team really improved on our speed of play, movement off the ball, and our decision making throughout the game. Once we got a feel for the play we began to combine allowing us to get into the offensive half. We are striving to see those same aspects as we take on Ohio Wesleyan tonight at 7pm! We travel to their fields with the objective of another W before we hit our conference play!

Atlanta Trip

This past weekend our Women's Soccer team traveled down to Atlanta Georgia to take on Agnes Scott and Emory! The drive was long but the girls made themselves comfortable with lots of movies and naps. The day we arrived we were able to relax in our hotel and prepare for Fridays game against Agnes Scott.

On Friday September 19th the team kicked off at 4pm against Agnes Scott College (ASC) and we came out strong. Holding the majority of the possession of the half we were able to slot a ball across the box to find Chloe Brown's feet in the 16th minute giving us a lead of 1-0. The slot came from Becca Cartmill after she won the ball and dribbled at their defense and soon found Chloe at the top of the box. After the first goal the pace slowed slightly but our defense held strong in the back as our offense worked the ball looking for more opportunities. Going into the second half the Crusaders came out strong and continued to possess the ball. Even though we had many scoring opportunities we had troubles finding the back of the net until the last 4 minutes of the game. At 86 minutes Mary Bushee crossed the ball and found Taylor Atkins on the far side who placed it in the back of the net. Only 42 seconds later Mary Bushee, once again, found a pass to the top of the 18 box to Becca Cartmill who struck it nicely and was able to put it in the net to give the Crusaders a 3-0 finish. This game gave us an opportunity to work out some kinks and get our legs going after a long cramped bus ride. Putting this game away was a positive start to the weekend.

On Saturday the team was welcomed by the DeMessa and Brand families at the DeMessa house for lunch and dessert. They prepared a delicious spread for the girls and homemade cupcakes for after! The girls got a home cooked meal and were able to unwind and enjoy the company. We really appreciate everything the DeMessa and Brand families did for us while in Atlanta! After lunch we headed to Stone Mountain to see the laser light show. It was a great experience for them to see the show along with some history on the Battle for Atlanta during the Civil War. The show was a mix of history, modern music, and everything in between.

Sunday we began to prepare for our game against Emory which kicked off at 1pm. Going into the game the girls knew that it would be a battle, the think southern heat would weigh them down, and that their best efforts were needed throughout the game. The game began and the Crusaders came out strong moving the ball quickly and really putting it to Emory. The game went back and forth as both teams pressed on attempting to create scoring opportunities. In the 11th and 39th minute however the Emory Eagles scored ending the half with a 0-2 lead by Emory. Going into the second half the girls got a second wind and came out battling to get on the board. Only 3 minutes into the half Chloe Brown scored of a failed clearance from the Emory keeper. She volleyed the ball into the goal putting us on the board for a score of 1-2. The whole team continued to battle and despite having more scoring chances were unsuccessful. Emory scored once again to give the final score of 1-3. Even though the game ended in a loss for us, the girls truly battled hard and left everything on the field. Not only did they play as a team but they never gave up on the game and kept fighting defensively and offensively through the pain and heat to try to get on the board again.

The trip overall was a success and a great bonding opportunity for the girls. A lot was accomplished during this trip and each day we will continue to grow and get better together as a team. Our next game is on Saturday, September 27th at 4pm at home against Earlham.

9/14/14 vs. Carnegie Mellon

Yesterday Capital Women's Soccer faced Carnegie Mellon at home at 4:30pm. The first half was a strong battle from both teams in attempt to gain possession and create scoring opportunities. Our defense held strong to keep the Tartans out of our defensive third. Alexis Brand had great saves in the box to keep the game tied at zeros going into the half.

As the second half began the Crusaders came out strong defensively once again and the game faced a physical battle as we kept them from our goal and attempted to attack theirs. Even though we tried to get good looks at goal the Tartan defense also remained strong and was able to stop our shots and our attacking drives. Late in the second half however Carnegie Mellon broke through and landed a shot on goal leaving us down 0-1. With only 9 minutes left in play the Crusaders went on the offensive quickly and made every attempt to tie up the game. Although the effort was there, time ran out leaving the Tartans as the victors in this match.

Even though the game resulted in a loss there was much to learn from playing the #6 team in the nation. The Crusaders made positive strides on the defensive end and realized areas of improvement on the attacking end. This loss will only drive us to continually get better every day and fuel our desire to win as we take the road to Atlanta this coming weekend. We face Agnes Scott this Friday and Emory this coming Sunday. Both are opportunities to be excellent and we will accept the challenges head on!

9/12 vs. Waynesburg

This Friday we faced Waynesburg at home and came out with a rough start. As we tried to find our own rhythm to the game we unfortunately gave up a goal in the 21st minute. A lofted ball that soared over our keepers head put the Waynesburg Yellow Jackets up with a one goal lead. As the game continued we struggled to get our feet and although we had many scoring opportunity we were unsuccessful in finishing them. In the 79th minute, however, a streak of passion and effort came from Becca Cartmill when she scrambled in the box and was able to find the back of the net! She was assisted by Mariah Richards from a ball served into the box. With the game tied, and not much time left, the Crusaders went to work fighting for the lead. Only 8 minutes later was the game winner struck by Taylor Atkins. The goal was the product of a corner kick by Shelby Johnson. As the ball bobbled around the box Taylor put contact on the ball and found the back of the net allowing us to take the lead for the last minute of the game. We held strong for the last minute defensively and were able to see the game out with a win.

Although this game was not perfect by any means for us, individual efforts pulled us through as we ended up on top. The Crusaders have much to work on but even when we don't play our best we are still able to find a way to win. All of our talents and assets will be put to the test today as we take on the ranked Carnegie Mellon at home at 4:30pm. Come out and support the Women's Soccer Crusaders as they battle the Tartans.

CONGRATULATIONS BECCA!

This past week Sophomore Becca Cartmill, Tememcula, CA, earned the Ohio Athletic Conference Player of the Week honors for her 3 goal & 1 assist performance against PSU-A & Juniata.  We are very excited for Becca and believe it will be just the first of many awards for our Crusaders this season!