Photo Courtesy of Robert Isacson
By Dakota Dobrovich-Fago, Staff Writer
The Susquehanna women’s soccer team left it late to win 1-0 in double overtime in their away game against the Moravian College greyhounds on March 28.
In their third and final game of their shortened spring season, the River Hawks took to the field in hopes of finishing their spring on a high note.
The first half saw both teams come out of the gate strong. The River Hawks had quite the challenge early on as Moravian played an aggressive style of play that consisted of a high amount of pressure defensively and possessing the ball well when on the attack. Their organization on both sides of the ball were intimidating but nothing the River Hawks could not handle as they went on to find their rhythm and edge themselves closer to a one goal advantage.
The River Hawks saw a rise in their possession once the team began to find passes quicker and taking bigger risks to create more chances. Their best chance of the half came through a counterattack off of a Moravian corner led by junior forward Anna Werner that unfortunately saw her shot saved by the greyhounds’ goalkeeper. They would end the half 0-0.
As the teams kicked off the second half, both sides stayed relentless in the search to find a goal. The River Hawks followed up a very good half with another as they maintained possession and momentum for a good amount of the half.
But while they were making it hard for Moravian to break up their possession, Moravian would bend not break as they played very solid defensive to keep any danger away. With that being said, the River Hawks finished the half with barely any chances to keep the score level at 0-0 at the end of regulation.
The River Hawks found themselves once again heading to overtime. The team faced a similar situation against Catholic where they would go to double overtime and would walk away from the game with a tie. But it was the fact that this was the River Hawks last game of the shortened spring season that had the team fired up and ready to go.
As both teams took the field for the first period of overtime, the 15 minutes were once again a chess match. Both teams stuck to their game plans and continued to wear each other down.
Chances came few and far again for both teams as both defenses rose up to the occasion and left the first period of overtime with the offense unable to break the deadlock. The score remained 0-0 as the first overtime concluded.
When the River Hawks took the field for the second period of overtime, you could tell something was about to give. Susquehanna gained momentum early on and created a chance to award themselves a corner. With sophomore forward Emily Wertz to take the corner and a hungry River Hawk team waiting in the box,their moment had come. As the ball was whipped in, it found the head of junior defender Marley Clendenin to find the back of the net.
“It was the beginning of the second overtime. We were all starting to feel it and it was lunchtime so the Panera Bread we were getting after the game was really on our minds. We got a corner kick and Emily Wertz was over to take it. I remember Molly Schelle telling me I needed to score a goal for her. I was walking up laughing because I had just told the team that Panera would taste better with a win. My head was killing me from an earlier play, and I had a feeling I was about to have to do another header. At least this one was the last one I had to do,” Clendenin said.
The River Hawks finished the game with a 1-0 double overtime win.
“I think we played very well. It was pouring rain in the beginning of the game, so the ball was super slick and moving, which we used to our advantage. They are by far the most athletic team we have played out of our three games, but I feel like we were still able to outplay them. I think having it be the last game for our seniors also gave us a lot of momentum and energy,” Clendenin said.
“Our game against Moravian really was our best from start to finish. We knew coming into the game that Moravian was going to be one of the toughest and most complete opponents we have seen so far this spring. With that in mind and the emotions on high for being our last game together, we really came out strong and composed, senior goalkeeper Madi Welliver said,“We had plenty of opportunities but just couldn’t find the net in regulation, but it seemed as though we dominated on the attack.”
“I was so proud of the effort everyone put in, and all the challenges we have overcome to get to that point, and the training just seemed to come together. When we got the corner in the second OT, I knew that was going to be our best opportunity to put the game away. I could not have asked for a better ending.” Welliver continued. .
Welliver ended her career on a high note with a clean sheet to go along with the win.
“It really is an incredible feeling to think back to the beginning of this year and realize how much we have accomplished as a team, and this double OT win was the perfect ending. I can’t say this exactly how I imagined it to be, but I could not have asked for anything more. It really is hard to say goodbye to this team and the sport I have loved my whole life, but to know that we walked away from this game giving everything we had, I am so unbelievably proud to be a part of the SUWS family,” Welliver said.
