Aug. 11, 2012

Box Score

South Orange, N.J. - After a very strong 10-day stretch of preseason workouts, the Fordham women's soccer team put their early season skills to the test against a familiar opponent in Seton Hall, a team that defeated the Rams in double overtime last season. The Rams quickly put their best foot forward, scoring three times over a five-minute stretch to earn a 3-1 exhibition win over the Pirates in South Orange, New Jersey.

The first primary scoring chance went Seton Hall's way in the 19th minute, when Stephanie Soma went one-on-one with Fordham freshman defender Joann Murino on the right side of the box. Murino won the one-on-one battle, but the ball deflected to Seton Hall's Ashley Clarke for a shot to the top half of the net, but Fordham's Ally White batted away the shot, keeping the game scoreless.

The game wasn't scoreless for much longer, as the Rams netted the first of three goals over a five-minute stretch in the 27th minute. Fordham's Cara Rooney bolted down the right side of the field putting a cross into the box. The cross was knocked down by a defender, which was quickly picked up and knocked into the net by Kristina Maksuti for the Rams' first goal.

Just four minutes later, Fordham made it 2-0 off a Seton Hall miscue. A backpass by a Seton Hall player was intercepted by Fordham senior Annie Worden, who quickly moved into attack mode and fired home the Rams' second goal into the top half of the net.

The Rams then made it 3-0 in the 32nd minute, following a Seton Hall foul. Mary Solimine took the free kick and found Maksuti for a shot attempt, which was blocked toward the left side of the box. Sophomore Maria Swift quickly pounced on the free ball and just squeezed a shot inside the left post for the Rams' third goal in five minutes of play.

Seton Hall tried to get some momentum back in the 34th minute, when Brittney Albrecht got loose down the near side for a breakaway, but White made a great stop on Albrecht keeping he Pirates off the board.

The Pirates would net a second half goal just 24 seconds in, as Christie Cherup scored just inside the right post off a pass from Amie Ruhe.

That goal would be the lone highlight for the Pirates as the Rams' defense would keep Seton Hall off the scoresheet for the rest of the game.

Fordham outshot Seton Hall, 19-13, in the contest, while White and Rachel Suther split time in goal for the Rams. White made four saves in the first half, while Suther had two in the second half.

The Fordham women's soccer team will now open its regular season on Friday, August 17th, as the Rams travel to Ann Arbor, Michigan, to face the Michigan Wolverines, beginning at 7:00 PM.