If College of William and Mary Head Coach John Daly had asked a Magic 8 Ball to forecast the rest of his team’s season before this weekend, the answer would have appeared a little hazy due to the Tribe’s inconsistency so far this year.
The answer after the weekend? Ask again later.
The Tribe (3-3-1) split its two matches this weekend, defeating the University of Maryland 1-0 Sunday and losing to ninth-ranked University of Virginia 2-1 Friday in the Virginia Nike Soccer Classic.
TRIBE 1, MARYLAND 0
The College’s offensive attack came alive against Maryland, as the Tribe got off four shots in the first 22 minutes of the match. The College was held scoreless through the first period but broke through in the 46th minute when junior forward Kellie Jenkins blasted a pass from senior midfielder Danielle Collins inside the far post for the first goal of the game.
The Tribe survived a furious Terrapin onslaught at the end of the match, as Maryland outshot the College 10-1 after Jenkins’ goal. None of the Terrapin shots made it past senior goalkeeper Meghan Walker, however, who recorded six saves for her 22nd career shutout. Walker’s clean sheet Sunday tied the school record for most career shutouts, set by Maren Rojas in 1994.
TRIBE 1, VIRGINIA 2
The Cavaliers outshot the Tribe 18-2 Friday night, putting 10 of those 18 shots on goal. Virginia began the scoring in the 45th minute when forward Alwine Lauren played a long ball from defender Alli Freese into the back of the net.
Two minutes later, Lauren crossed the ball to forward Meaghan Lencyzk for the Cavaliers’ second goal of the night. The Cavaliers had a plenty of shots on goal during the course of the match, but mostcame up empty due to Walker’s eight saves on the match. Walker’s save total tied her career high and kept the match within striking distance for the Tribe offense.
Junior midfielder Krissy Vornadore drew first blood for the Tribe, scoring on a breakaway in the 55th minute off an assist from forward Claire Zimmeck. Vornadore’s goal was the Tribe’s only goal of the match, as the Tribe only managed two shots against a stingy Cavalier defense.