University of Richmond Athletics
Women's Soccer Concludes Season This Weekend At First Market Stadium
10/27/2005 | Women's Soccer
Oct. 27, 2005
University of Richmond, Va. - The University of Richmond women's soccer team will round out one of its most challenging seasons thus far with two tough home Atlantic 10 Conference contests this weekend. The Spiders will host the Rhode Island Rams on their senior night on Friday, Oct. 28 at 7 p.m. and will then battle the Massachusetts Minutewomen in their season finale on Sunday, Oct. 30 at 1 p.m. at First Market Stadium.
The Spiders concluded their final road trip of the season last weekend after losing their first-ever contest with the Charlotte 49ers. The Spiders and 49ers' battle for an Atlantic 10 victory extended to double overtime last Saturday at Transamerica Field, ending in a 2-1 victory for Charlotte after freshman Niki Dumencich scored the game winning goal for the 49ers with only 1:35 left in the match. Richmond freshman Sarah Hilt (Richmond, Va.) scored the Spiders' only goal of the match after she followed in sophomore Ali LeVIne's (Avon, N.J.) hard-stricken shot that deflected off the post.
Saturday's loss to Charlotte dropped the Spiders to 4-9-3 overall and 2-4-1 in the Atlantic 10, diminishing the Spiders' hopes for a return to the Atlantic 10 Championship.
Currently undefeated in the Atlantic 10 Conference (6-0-0) and high on a four-game winning streak and an 11-game unbeaten streak , the Rams enter Friday's match fresh off a 2-1 victory over George Washington, where sophomore Debra Nelson and junior Aimee Lambert scored goals for the Rams.
Friday's match marks the eighth meeting between the Spiders and the Rams with the Rams leading the series 4-3-0. Last year, the Rams defeated the Spiders (2-0) in the regular season match-up at Rhode Island and again in the Atlantic 10 semifinals (1-0).
Despite a rocky 2005 season, the Spiders will celebrate and recognize the numerous accomplishments of their seven seniors, Kelly Kolker, Lindsey Reid, Susan Darrah, Annette Isham, Hillary Prince, Kaile Partridge, and Liana Wooten, with a brief ceremony just prior to kick off at the Rhode Island contest. These Spider soccer players and assistants have had a remarkable run at Richmond, winning 40 contests, helping capture the program's first Atlantic 10 Championship in 2002, advancing to the Sweet Sixteen of the Women's Soccer College Cup that same year, posting three consecutive winning seasons, and advancing to the Atlantic 10 Championships for the past three years, in addition to accumulating many individual awards and accolades along the way.
Richmond Head Coach Peter Albright is extremely proud of everything the seniors have accomplished in their four years in the program. "Our seniors have been great role models," stated Albright. "They have played hard, played hurt, and they have never wavered in their intensity, positive attitude, or commitment to their teammates and team. They have never pointed fingers, made excuses or felt sorry for themselves. They have mentored and led their teammates in uncounted ways to become better players and people."
Following Friday night's battle, the Spiders will look to conclude their season with one final victory over the Massachusetts Minutewomen. Currently 7-8-1 overall and 4-3-0 in the Atlantic 10, the Minutewomen are hoping for one last win to help slip them into the running for a spot in the Atlantic 10 Championships.
Sunday will be the sixth meeting between the Spiders and the Minutewomen with the Spiders owning victories in all five matches of the series, including the Spiders' pair of shut-outs (1-0) over the Minutewomen last year in the regular season match-up where Meghan Ogilvie scored the only goal of the game and the first round of the Atlantic 10 Championships after Whitney Sikes scored for the Spiders.
Sunday's match with the Minutemen will be the final contest of what ended up being an ill-fated season for the Spiders. Although the Spiders' record is not reflective of the talent that lies beneath, Albright feels a tremendous amount of pride in the collective attitude and character of his team.
"We have much to celebrate and much to be proud of. My only sadness will be saying farewell to these wonderful seniors."
Live coverage is available for both matches at www.RichmondSpiders.com.
