Posted by Maggie Sweeney
Skidmore's Women's soccer team pulled through with a win against Bard College on Tuesday night, Oct. 8. The final score was 1-0 Skidmore, which brought the team to a 8-0-2 record. The game was off to a late start due to transportation issues, and the gradually dropping temperature was certainly not in favor of the players. Despite these conditions, the Thoroughbreds held their own and ended the game on a great note.
The game started off on an offensive note by Skidmore's diligent attackers, but Bard's goalkeeper Kelsey O'Brien kept her team in the game with two early saves. The Thoroughbreds' attackers Christine Bellotti '14 and Morgan Governale '15 both put their missed shots behind them, and bounced back with a determined fire.
Gab Lawrence '14 kept the scoreboard level in the 17th minute, when she guided a shot from Bard's Abby Labrecque's over the bar with a confident fist pump. A minute later Lawrence then dove to her right to deny Gina Lewis's shot from 18 yards on the resulting corner kick. Lawrence made three saves in goal for Skidmore throughout the game, which had a positive impact on her shutout streak.
The game stayed tied 0-0 until the 21st minute, when Jen Wardyga '14 scored the game's only goal, assisted by Arena Manning '16. Manning took advantage of a pass from freshman Emily Salitermanand dribbled around O'Brien before sliding a feed to Wardyga, who finished the play into the empty net.
Lawrence's third and final save came in the second half, resulting from Labrecque's shot after she made her way past the Skidmore defense. Lawrence's quick reflexes and keen sense of positioning helped her break up the play and preserve the shutout.
Skidmore's offense outshot Bard's 20-3 and held a 7-1 advantage in corners. The Thoroughbreds will now head off to Clarkson University for a Liberty League contest on Saturday, Oct. 12 at 3 p.m. Their goal to maintain an undefeated streak is looking highly plausible.