If you want to know how much your fortunes can change in just three weeks, you would be wise to ask head coach Chris Norris ’95 and his William and Mary men’s soccer team (2-6-3, 1-3-1 CAA).
Sept. 13, the Tribe battled with North Carolina Wilmington on the road, returning home having suffered a deflating 5-0 defeat that dropped it to 0-3-2 and 0-2-0 in Coastal Athletic Association action. However, the story could not have been more different Saturday night at Martin Family Stadium in Williamsburg, Va. Behind an electric second-half performance, the Tribe picked up its first conference victory and its second win in a row, getting revenge over the visiting Seahawks (3-5-2, 2-2-0 CAA) with a 2-0 triumph.
After a balanced first period in which freshman forward Max Cooper and senior midfielder/forward Webb Kosich forced UNCW redshirt sophomore goalkeeper Trey Smiley to make two crucial saves, neither side could find a way through and the score remained locked at zero.
The Tribe’s pressure finally paid off in the 67th minute, when Smiley denied senior forward Sam Delgado’s shot but could not stop Kosich’s follow-up effort. The senior’s goal gave William and Mary a hard-fought 1-0 advantage.
For Norris, the goal was evidence of the growth he has seen from Kosich throughout the season.
“He’s been progressively getting better throughout the season, and it’s really showing in matches right now,” Norris said.
Even after netting a crucial opening goal, the Tribe’s attackers continued to push. In the 75th minute, Delgado and sophomore midfielder Thor Sigurjonsson prompted Smiley to make two more important saves.
As the game moved into its final stages, the back-and-forth action that defined its first 75 minutes turned into one-way traffic as UNCW threw bodies forward in search of an equalizer. However, junior goalkeeper Ryan Eapen and the Tribe defense managed to repel each of the Seahawks’ efforts, including an 81st-minute set piece that dribbled just inches past the right post.
William and Mary’s defensive effort has been the driving force behind the Tribe’s two-game winning streak, with Norris becoming increasingly happy with what he’s seen from his goalkeeper and backline.
“The defense has just been, over the last couple of games, really tuned in, really sticking to a plan,” Norris said.
With the Seahawks committing seven and eight players to their attack, they left themselves vulnerable at the back, turning every Tribe long ball into a dangerous chance. As the clock ticked into the final 90 seconds, William and Mary exploited the UNCW pressure. Cooper rounded Smiley at midfield before calmly slotting the ball into the empty net, scoring the Tribe’s second goal and racing off to celebrate with his teammates.
Cooper chased after seemingly every long ball that got behind the Seahawks’ defense. His tenacity did not go unnoticed by his coach.
“When you’re under a little bit of pressure and holding a lead … having some guys that can break the other team’s line and get behind is critical,” Norris said.
With the Tribe achieving its first stretch of consecutive wins this season, Norris acknowledged the result’s importance for the team’s confidence.
“Knowing that we have the ability to shut teams out and to get goals is huge for this group,” Norris said.
A crucial match awaits William and Mary Saturday, Oct. 11, at Martin Family Stadium in Williamsburg, Va., against current CAA South Division leader Campbell (5-2-4, 2-0-2 CAA). The Tribe currently sits at fifth place in the division, needing to finish in the top three to qualify for the CAA tournament. A win against the Camels would catapult the Green and Gold into contention.
