University of Richmond Athletics
University of Richmond
Massachusetts
Women's Soccer Shuts Down Massachusetts 2-0 In Final Match
10/30/2005 | Women's Soccer
Oct. 30, 2005
University of Richmond, Va. - The University of Richmond women's soccer team concluded their 2005 season with an intense Atlantic 10 contest with the Massachusetts Minutewomen on Sunday at First Market Stadium. The Spiders shut down the Minutewomen 2-0 after freshman Jessie Wolfe (Germantown, Md.) scored a pair of goals for the Spiders, improving them to an 11-game unbeaten-at-home streak.
The Spiders took an early lead in the match when freshman Sarah Hilt (Richmond, Va.) lobbed a corner kick into the box that Wolfe was able to put her head on and redirect to the back of the net just 5:08 after kickoff.
Richmond continued to pour on the offensive pressure, out shooting Massachusetts 12-4 in the first half with Richmond keeper Kelly Kolker having to make only one save for the Spiders.
The second half continued with many drawn out battles between the Spiders and the Minutewomen, but the Minutewomen were unable to hold off the Spiders' attack. Wolfe scored her second goal of the match and her sixth of the season after she ripped a shot from approximately 40 yards out that sailed into the upper right corner of the goal, giving the Spiders a 2-0 edge and decreasing the Minutewomen's chances for a comeback.
Although trailing 2-0 for most of the second half, the Minutewomen did not give up and kept the pressure on the Spiders, accumulating many attacks towards the Spiders' goal, but only recording four shots in the half, compared to the Spiders' eight.
The Richmond players concluded their final match in celebration as the crowd came to their feet to honor the five seniors (Kelly Kolker) leaving the field with five minutes left in the match.
Although the freshmen had a field day statistically (with Wolfe earning pair of goals and Hilt recording an assist) and gave fans a glimpse of what they can expect from the Spiders next year, Albright gives much credit to his seniors.
"You could really see the essence of our seniors in today's match," stated Albright. "Kelly (Kolker) threw herself at the feet of a Massachusetts forward to save a goal; Susan (Darrah) was playing with a quad injury; Annette (Isham) was her typical electrical, dynamic self and almost had several goals; Lindsey (Reid) was solid, playing like a four-year starter; and Hillary (Prince) made huge play after huge play, despite injury. I couldn't be more proud of them."
The Spiders' victory improved them to 5-9-4 and 3-4-2 in the Atlantic 10, and moved their record up to 6-0 in the all-time series with the Minutewomen.
The Minutewomen's loss dropped them to 8-9-1 and 5-4-0 in the Atlantic 10; however, they still have a shot at advancing to the Atlantic 10 Championship, while Richmond, due to unfortunate circumstances, will not be able to slip into the runnings for the tournament this year.
Extremely impressed with the Spiders' play, Massachusetts' Head Coach Jim Rudy commended Richmond's excellent game. "I was really impressed with Richmond's team," stated Rudy. "They should, without a doubt, be in the tournament."
Albright agreed. "We'll make a positive out of all of this and we'll be out there next year."
