Sept. 3, 2009
Bronx, N.Y. -
Hosting their second home game of the season, the Fordham women's soccer team hosts Syracuse University at Jack Coffey Field on Friday night at 7:00 PM.
The Game: Two teams looking for their first win of the season meet up as the Fordham women's soccer team (0-2-1) plays host to the Syracuse Orange (0-2-1).
This is the second all-time meeting between the two squads, as they met last year in Syracuse. In that game, Syracuse could not put a ball past Fordham keeper Jen Byer, as she recorded five saves, earning her second consecutive shutout to open the 2008 season. The only problem for Fordham was that they couldn't figure out Syracuse keeper Eliza Hattan-Bennett either as the Rams and the Orange played to a 0-0 tie at the SU Soccer Stadium.
Last Time Out: Seeing the first action of her career, Fordham goalkeeper Rachel Suther was able to keep the Army Black Knights off the scoresheet, as the Rams and Black Knights played to a scoreless tie at Clinton Field in West Point, N.Y.
Army tried to take control of the game early, registering nine shots in the first half. Army's Deanna Clegg had the first chance in the 11th minute from the top of the box, but Suther made a diving save to the right corner to keep the game scoreless.
The goalkeepers stayed strong in the second half, as Army's Alex Lostetter
made the first save of the second half in the 46th minute on a shot by Fordham's Mariella Romano.
Fordham continued the offensive press in the 63rd minute, as Lauren Nowakowski put a direct kick on net, but Lostetter punched the ball away.
The Rams' attack put together one final push in the waning seconds of regulation. Katie McDermott found Michaela Murphy for a shot, which Lostetter made a sliding stop to force overtime.
Fordham came up with six shots in overtime, compared to one by Army. The best chance came from Fordham's Annie Worden, as her shot came off a breakaway pass, and sailed wide of the goal in the 99th minute.
Overall, Army finished with 14 shots with Fordham having 11. In net, Suther registered five saves for her first collegiate shutout, while Lostetter made three saves.
Game Coverage: Follow the Rams/Orange matchup via the GameTracker or Watch Live (available on gameday) links.
Fordham First: With her shutout on Sunday, Rachel Suther became the first Fordham freshman goalkeeper to record a shutout in her first collegiate game.
Overall, she is the third Fordham goalkeeeper to record a shutout in her first start at Fordham, joining Julie Wynns (2004) and Elisabeth Roald (2006).
