The USF women’s soccer team (5-13-0) fell to St. Mary’s College (10-7-2) on Sunday, October 30th as part of a double header also featuring the men’s team against LMU. The game started out with good play by the Dons including strong defensive possession and build up in the midfield, however there wasn’t sufficient connection with the forwards. There were a few chances of lofted through balls but ultimately not
a lot came out of the chances because of miscommunication with the forwards. About
20 minutes into the first half, St. Mary’s quieted the crowd when their forward took a
shot that rocketed off the near post. In the 38th minute St. Mary’s once again cracked a shot that smashed off of the crossbar. This time Gaels forward #12 Christina Tognetti
collected the rebound and put the ball into the back of the net for her eighth goal of the season.
The Dons came out strong in the second half connecting really well with one-
time passes and making use of the width of the field. The ball remained in the Dons
defensive end the majority of the time as St. Mary’s controlled the offensive tempo.
The score remained close due to the excellent defensive efforts by Barret Bestard and Kelsey Moe. With two minutes left in the game Dons defender #16 Kelsey Moe took a shot from about 20 yards out, St. Mary’s goalkeeper Kate Brenot made a game saving stop as she punched away the ball. The Dons fans looked hopeful as the rocket shot was headed for the top left corner of the net but Brenot acrobatically parried it away. This game marked Gael’s goalkeeper Brenot’s fifth shutout of 2011 and the Gaels sixth shutout of the season.
The game was the last WCC home game of the season for the Lady Dons soccer team as next week they will travel to Malibu, California to face off against the Pepperdine Waves. The Waves are ranked number 3 in the nation and recently ruined their undefeated season when they lost to Santa Clara. The women’s soccer team will
return to the Hilltop November 6th to take on Cal State Bakersfield. This match will
serve as the annual Senior Day where Dons athletics will honor seniors Meritt Peterson,
Keonna Robinson and Joan Piasta prior to kick off.
