Head coach Eric Lewis pumped his team up during Tuesday’s practice by shouting words of encouragement during drills. “Greensboro is a very aggressive team,” exclaimed Lewis while having the women’s soccer team work on woman-to-woman challenges.
“We beat Greensboro with 30 seconds left in the game last year,” Lewis reminded the team when talking about how Greensboro will be preparing themselves for this game.
Lewis’s words of encouragement paid off, as the women beat cross-town rivals Greensboro College 1-0 last Wednesday night.
“We’ve been working hard in practice and playing tough teams (to start off this season) and it has been worth it; seeing our team come together today,” senior captain Caroline Hemeter said following the team’s victory.
Before the game, the Quakers were concerned about many offensive threats on the Pride squad.
“Tessa Hall, number eight,” said Lewis when asked which Pride players to watch out for. The senior forward for the Pride had 14 goals in 2008, and her experience, ball control, and hard shots were evident throughout Wednesday’s cross-town match-up.
Mary Reinhardt, a first-year for the Pride was also a concern for the Quakers, as she used her speed at forward to challenge Quaker defenders.
But Reinhardt, and the 11 other first-years on a young team were no match for the experienced Quakers.
Anchoring the Quaker defense was Hemeter, who used her speed, intelligence and strength to force most shots on goal to be taken outside the 18-yard box.
Hall’s and Reinhardt’s seven combined shots, four of which were on goal, weren’t challenging enough for the Quakers’ senior goalie, Bee Vohs.
One of Vohs’ six saves came against Hall’s bullet-shot from inside eight yards. The save set a tone for a defensive-sided first-half.
After 45 minutes of play, Guilford out-shot the Pride 7-6. As Vohs accumulated four saves, Pride senior goalkeeper Katie Allegro had five. But the Quakers looked to create more offense in the second half, which they did.
With 17 minutes left in the second half, sophomore Lauren Matthews shared a one-on-one breakaway with the goalkeeper, but was tripped in the box. With the luck of the Pride, the ref saw no foul. Another missed opportunity came five minutes later when sophomore transfer Bri Eilman ripped a shot over the net from the top of the box.
But Eilman wouldn’t miss out on another chance. With six minutes remaining, Eilman launched a missile from 40 yards out that cleared the last line of Greensboro’s defense and sailed over the goalie’s fingertips into the top of the net. It was clear that everyone – fans, players, coaches and officials alike – had been holding their breath as the ball soared through the air. As the back of the net rippled and guided the ball down to the ground, Armfield Athletic Center erupted.
In the past seven years, the Guilford-Greensboro classic has been decided by one goal, making Eilman’s shot crucial in giving the Quakers back-to-back wins.
The Quakers will look to redeem themselves after a conference loss to Randolph-Macon last Saturday by overcoming Eastern Mennonite this Saturday, in Armfield Athletic Center at 2 p.m.