The women’s soccer team (4-1-2, 1-0 Ivy) will meet one the best teams in the Patriot League tonight, when the booters face upstate-rival Colgate (6-4, 2-0 Patriot) in Hamilton, N.Y. “It’s always a tough battle with Colgate,” said head coach Berhane Andeberhan. “We have contrasting styles, which makes it interesting.”
Cornell won its first Ivy League match of the year against Columbia, 2-1, this past Saturday. Freshman midfielder Kelly Kosco scored the game winner, and junior midfielder Kara Ishikawa scored her third goal of the year.
The Red will need continue its strong play against Colgate. The Raiders have looked like the best team in their conference of late, defeating conference foes, Bucknell, 2-0, on Sept. 20, as well as a strong Navy squad, 2-1, on Saturday.
Colgate’s freshman forward Franny Iacuzzi is currently leading the Patriot League in goals and points. She has scored 10 goals in 10 games, including four game-winners. On Monday, she was recognized as the league’s Offensive Player of the Week.
However, Andeberhan says the team will not be intimidated by the rookie forward.
“We generally don’t mark anybody,” he said. “Because we’re young we tend to focus on our game. If we play our game, we’ll have a good chance.”
The Cornell defense — along with senior goalkeeper Katie Thomas and sophomore goalie Katrina Martin — has allowed only three goals in seven games.
Andeberhan noted the strong defensive work of freshman Leslie Campbell, who has played with composure beyond her years at the sweeper position.
The match will be a homecoming for junior forward Shannon Fraser. It will also be her second game back from injury. Although Fraser is “still not 100 percent” according to Andeberhan, the team’s co-captain was able to play a significant portion in the game against Columbia.
“We’ll start her [tonight],” Andeberhan said. “She lasted very well [against Columbia]. With halftime, she had a 40-minute break. She feels she can go more. But that’s the nature of a competitive athlete.”
Senior forward Emily Wyffels is also back from an injury. Like Fraser, she was able to start Saturday against Columbia, and will play tonight.
The match will be Colgate’s third home game in five days. After defeating Navy on Saturday, the Raiders beat Vermont, 3-0, on Sunday. Freshman midfielder Jamie Dennison had two goals in that match. The Raiders have scored 20 goals overall this year, the most in the Patriot League.
Cornell may look to create some of its own offensive power tonight with the help of a little creative strategy. Against Columbia, the Red found success using a “hybrid” outside midfielder-defender setup. Throughout the year, Andeberhan has employed a number of different formations, helping to generate offense and confuse opponents.
He noted that the booters’ ability to adjust to these new formations has been impressive, especially with the number of freshman on the team.
“That’s what’s rewarding,” Andeberhan said. “These freshman come from very good clubs. They’re used to different systems. They’re coachable, they’ve adapted well, and several of our freshmen can play different positions.”
Archived article by Ted Nyman
Sun Staff Writer