Women's soccer team's historic season ends
Winston Delk
The CWRU women's soccer team finished an historic season with a double overtime loss against Wooster in penalty kicks.
David Chang, Staff Reporter
The Case Western Reserve University women's soccer team dropped their first round match of the NCAA Division III playoffs against College of Wooster in penalty kicks, 4-3, after a scoreless double overtime competition at Wheaton, Illinois. The Spartans finish their season ranked 21st on the NCAA website with a program-record tying 13 wins. They also set a new team record for most goals scored in a season with 46.
The Spartans dominated offensively, leading with 26 total shots. Eleven Spartans recorded shots on goal, compared to Wooster's seven. After a corner kick by Wooster, the Spartans relentlessly attacked, but the opposing goalie managed to save three goals in a row from the 18th minute to the 21st. With good ball movement and positioning, second-year forward Christina Hickinson came close to goal in the box from a pass sent by first-year midfielder Johanna Dunkers, but Hickinson's shot went wide. Dunkers led the team with six shots. Second-year Anika Washburn attempted a free kick near the end of regulation, but her shot was saved by the keeper. In overtime, after a shot by first-year forward Aniya Hartzler hit the post, first-year Helina VanBibber collected the rebound and drilled the shot, but the opposing goalie was able to get a piece of it. Wooster continued their rigid defensive streak, having blocked every shot since October 12th, as the keeper finished with 11 saves.
The game went to penalty kicks. Fourth-year keeper Lauren Unterborn saved the first kick, but Wooster converted the remaining four. Washburn, fourth-year Kimberly Chen and Dunkers converted the Spartan's first three shots. Unfortunately, the Spartans did not make their last two shots. The fourth was saved by the opposing goalie and the last hit the post. Unterborn finished the game with four saves.
Three Spartans were named to All-UAA teams, including first-year forward Merry Meyer, third-year defender Bailey George and Washburn. Washburn was also named the UAA Offensive Player of the Year, ending her season with a program-record 33 points and 14 goals. Meyer was tied for the most assists in UAA with eight.
David Chang is a second-year nutritional biochemistry major. In his spare time, he enjoys listening to sad Chinese ballads while wearing pink Crocs.
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