An early goal from the Fordham University Rams helped down the University of Richmond women’s soccer team 1-0 on Sept. 29.
From the outset, the contest appeared to have the back-and-forth quality befitting two teams projected to finish neck-and-neck in conference play. The first shot of the day belonged to the Spiders, with a quick attempt from distance by junior midfielder Emma Shields that nearly squirmed out of the Rams’ goalie’s grasp. Fordham quickly responded with two shots of their own – putting just one on target – but with a high press causing problems in the Rams’ backfield, the Spiders still appeared to be in control.
Such momentum for the Spiders only lasted until the eighth minute of play, when an unmarked Rams forward cashed in on a low cross to the six-yard-box to give Fordham the early lead. The quick goal marked the first of several such opportunities for the Rams and was followed not three minutes later with a ball chipped onto the foot of a Rams forward in the box, fought off by graduate goalie McKenna Dalfonso.
In the ensuing minutes, the Spiders were able to steer play away from the goal but not out of the defensive third of the field, where the Rams offense was able to draw five corner kicks in six minutes. Only one yielded a clean chance at goal, which was easily snagged by Dalfonso.
Surviving the first five of the Rams’ eleven corner kicks, the Spiders nearly converted on its breakout as junior midfielder Marisa Snee maneuvered a contested ball away from the Rams goalie, though she could not find a clean look at the open net.
The Spiders were put back on their heels as the Rams drove back downfield and drew a handball in the box. Only from a brilliant kick-save by Dalfonso did the deficit remain at one entering halftime.
Possession in the second half proved more even than the first, although it was again the Spiders weathering a barrage of shots once play resumed. Many of these were played from distance and sent wide, while Dalfonso remained sharp to clear the remainder en route to a career-high ten saves.
UR grew into the game as the half wound down, though the Spiders’ shots continued to be put just off target. Graduate forward Brigitte Bussiere curled a shot around the far post, while junior forward Anna Garcia swept a ground ball agonizingly past the goal as time expired.
“We struggled to get a foothold in the game, didn’t create enough opportunities… [and] got a little bit timid in our defending and midfield,” UR Head Coach Adam Denton said following the game. “The second half was better, but we left it too little too late, a little bit.”
The Rams picked up their seventh win of the season, improving to 7-3-2 and 2-1-1 within the Atlantic 10. Meanwhile, UR dropped its second conference matchup in a row to move to 1-2 in the A-10, and 3-5-2 overall.
The Spiders will next play on the road at the University of Rhode Island at 7 p.m. Oct. 3. The two teams are currently tied at tenth in the conference standings.
Contact sports writer Scott Valentine at scott.valentine@richmond.edu.
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