By Pat Costello
Sydney White and Amanda Miller go after the ball during the Rams postseason-berth clinching game against Davidson. (Courtesy of Fordham Athletics)
The women’s soccer team finished its regular season on a high note, beating Davidson 1-0 and pulling out a hard-nosed 2-2 tie against George Mason. The Rams clinched their postseason berth by winning the Davidson game, pulling ahead in the first 10 minutes thanks to a goal by sophomore midfielder Brooke Salmon. Salmon proved to be opportunistic after the Davidson goalie misplayed a cross, allowing her to score an easy goal. That victory punched the team’s ticket, but they still had one last game against George Mason to close the regular season.
The Patriots took a 1-0 lead in the 18th minute, until Salmon was able to find the back of the net again in the second half for her team high fifth goal of the season. The Patriots retook the lead in the 70th minute, but the Rams did not quit. Last season, the Rams were in a similar predicament, down one goal with almost no time left when then-junior defender Brianna Blunck scored the equalizer. In a déjà vu moment, the Rams scored once again, but this time, the goal came in the 87th minute off of the foot of freshman forward Amanda Miller. True to their form during the in-conference season, the Rams headed to double overtime before the game eventually ended in a 2-2 draw.
“What impressed me the most about [my] team is their resiliency,” said head coach Jessica Clinton. “They had already been on the road for five days, and traveling to play at the Division I level is not as glamorous as it sounds, but they were able to come back twice to tie George Mason.”
The road has definitely put a strain on the Rams, something of which Clinton is keenly aware.
“We were tired as a whole and could tell, but their ability to battle and comeback was the most impressive piece,” she said. “We are always impressed with the teams grit and fight and willingness to be successful, it was just a lot harder to put Mason away given how tired their bodies were.”
The Rams will have time to rest up before meeting the Patriots again in the first round of the A-10 Tournament. Clinton believes that it will be an advantage for the Rams, considering they had just squared off with George Mason. “I do think we are more prepared for this quarterfinal,” she said. “The staff and players know what to expect and it’s a matter of execution and playing smart.”
The Rams’ ability to maintain balance will be incredibly important as the tournament gets under way.“The biggest key is recovery for the team and sharpness,” Clinton said. “The five days away and traveling via plane and bus takes a toll. There’s school as well. Our team maintains a high GPA and they are in a place where it’s hard to balance.”
She continued, saying, “The other piece is being sharp. We know we need to train before we head into the tournament to get the group together and get good energy heading into the tournament, but we need them to feel that they are at their best.”
The Rams ended their season with a 10-4-5 record, while going 5-1-4 in-conference. They return to the pitch on Thursday in Rhode Island for the No. 4 vs. No. 5 seed matchup. The game is set to begin at 8 p.m.
