The Patriots win 3-2 over the Dukes
BY DOMENIC ALLEGRA, STAFF WRITER
As soccer kicks off for the 2018-2019 season, the women’s team has already surpassed the previous season’s start.
Last season through the first six matches, the women’s team had not won a single contest. However, standing at a record of 4-3, with one loss coming from No. 25 Tennessee, the Patriots have performed well and look to improve. If the Patriots can continue their winning ways, they can possibly push for a strong Atlantic 10 playoff run.
On Thursday, Sept. 6, the Women’s Soccer team took the field against the James Madison University Dukes. JMU came into the game with a record of 1-4 looking to earn their second win of the season. Even with the chance of rain, the game kicked off at the scheduled 7 p.m. start time.
The Patriots scored a quick goal in the 5th minute from graduate transfer student Jewel Christian, her first collegiate goal, with freshman Emma van der Vorst and red-shirt sophomore Emily Bradshaw both receiving credit for the assists. Coach Bramble said, according to the GoMason game recap, that “Jewel is still finding her game” and also talked about her ability to improve this season having only played one year of collegiate soccer in her career. After Christian’s goal, Mason continued the offensive pressure.
With the momentum in hand, the Patriots looked to capitalize again. However, it was short lived as the horn blew forcing play to stop after only eight minutes. While the Patriots were used to water breaks in previous games, this stoppage was for lightning in the area. The delay sent both teams off the field and forced the spectators to find cover in the nearby fieldhouse. The delay persisted until the lightning had dissipated and sports officials deemed it was safe to use the field again.
Play resumed after the 60-minute delay. The Patriots continued their momentum, scoring another goal from senior Rebecca Callison to put the Patriots up 2-0 in the 24th minute. However, the Dukes answered shortly after, with senior Hailey Stein scoring in the 29th minute.
At the half, Mason had fifteen shots (four on target), while JMU only had three (one on target). The Patriots blanked the Dukes on corner kicks, not allowing a single one, while Mason had four. After the half, Mason pushed to continue its momentum again for the rest of the match.
When the second half began, JMU quickly tied the game as freshman Hannah Coulling also scored her first collegiate goal in the 48th minute of the second half. However, something struck again, and this time it wasn’t the lightning— it was redshirt freshman Olivia Reese, who scored the game-winning goal. She scored off a corner kick taken by sophomore Kayla Hamric to put the Patriots up by one in the 63rd minute.
The Patriots held on to win 3-2. After a great game by the Patriots, Head Coach Bramble said, according to the GoMason game recap, that “winning is always nice.” He went on to say that even though they had won, there was still a need for improvement. The Patriots finished the match with 20 shots and eight corner kicks to the Dukes 11 shots and two corner kicks.
The Patriots’ next home game will be Sept. 20 at 7 p.m.
