
This post was written by Hatchet senior staff writer Cameron Lancaster.
Women’s soccer has won the opening four games of conference play for the first time in the program’s history after defeating Massachusetts 1-0 at Mount Vernon on Sunday.
The win also saw the Colonials extend their winning streak to seven games and improve to a strong 9-4-0 overall record.
Head coach Sarah Barnes feels confident after the win but knows that there are greater challenges in the coming weeks.
“[The win] takes a little bit of pressure off moving forward. Unfortunately it also puts a target on our back so I think things are going to get harder, not easier,” Barnes said. “But I think we’re ready for it, and certainly excited.”
Although the Colonials have shown their ability to score goals, it has been GW’s defensive record that has impressed the most. Despite frequent in-game substitutions on the backline, GW has conceded only two goals in league play, fewer than any other team in the A-10, and is tied with Fordham and George Mason for most clean sheets in the conference this season (2).
Senior Brooke Stoller, who was the only defender to stay in her position for the match’s entirety, said that she is not troubled by the numerous defensive change-ups during games.
“Our whole team is very versatile and we’re used to the changes. Because we want to play a certain way we’re using a lot of people, I’m happy with anyone who’s back there with me,” she said.
Stoller provided the assist from a corner kick when senior midfielder Nicole Belfonti smashed home a cracking header into the bottom corner just before the half.
“We were practicing before, just driving that ball to that spot,” Belfonti said. “She hit a solid ball and I went to my place and did what I was supposed to do”.
The goal was Belfonti’s second on the season, and Stoller’s third assist.
The goal came after a frustrating first half as the Colonials struggled to keep possession and get the ball forward, which Barnes stressed won’t be an option moving forward. Barnes also noted that the her side seemed to struggle with the Minutewomen’s physicality throughout the game, and that it would be a crucial obstacle to overcome if the Colonials are to claim points next week against VCU and Richmond.
In the second half, the Colonials had multiple opportunities to double their lead. With 18 minutes left, sophomore forward Brittany Cooper found herself on the end of a free kick from Stoller, but headed it wide.
Belfonti almost scored a second goal in the final 10 minutes, after swiftly beating a defender at the corner flag, but failed to convert her left-footed shot.
“I think I definitely had some opportunities that I should’ve finished in the second half, but overall I think we were pretty patient on the ball,” Belfonti said.
Luckily, a second goal wasn’t needed as the Colonials’ ability to maintain the ball in the closing minutes of the match secured the victory.
“Too often when you get into that final 10 minutes the other team is really direct and trying to out the ball in your box,” Barnes said. “But the truth is the best defense is a good offense, so if we can keep the ball away from them and keep it moving then we will be able to spend less time defending.”
The Colonials will travel to VCU, also undefeated in conference play, Thursday in what is likely to be a highly contested match between the two A-10 powerhouses.