This post was written by Hatchet reporter Libby Schiller.
Coming off a 2-0 win at Massachusetts Sunday, the Colonials were looking to string together two consecutive wins for the first time since early September in Thursday afternoon’s match against visiting VCU.
Redshirt freshman defender Megan McCormick’s lone goal in the 94th minute helped GW (9-4-1, 3-1-1 A-10) do just that in a hard-fought 1-0 overtime victory – its third in Atlantic 10 play.
Though the game was scoreless through both halves, the pressure was high. From the get-go, both GW and VCU were able to work the ball up the field, but could not finish on countless opportunities.
With 11 shots on goal, but none in the net, the Colonials were challenged to maintain composure throughout the game and prevent the Rams (6-7-1, 2-3-0 A-10) from scoring.
“Sometimes our team struggles with being under high pressure, so it is key for us to make sure we are reminding each other to stay calm and stay composed,” senior forward MacKenzie Cowley said.
The calm and composed Colonials had many quality chances to score, but could not get it passed VCU keeper Audrey Sanderson, who finished with four saves. But the Rams could not get passed the Colonials’ net-minder either.
Goalkeeper Miranda Horn, a redshirt junior, recorded five saves on the day. Horn was also able to help transition the ball up to her teammates so they could bring it up the field and relied on her teammates to keep the strong VCU offense from scoring.
“I think on transition [my teammates] did a very good job holding [VCU] up, so that the shots I had to face, I was able to deal with,” Horn said. “And they blocked a couple of shots, too.”
After 90 minutes, the match remained scoreless and the Colonials knew they had to take action.
“Right before overtime we kind of just talked about putting the game away,” McCormick said.
In overtime, the Colonials acted fast and took control. They dominated offensively and forced a corner five minutes into overtime. The corner was crossed over the box, headed by Cowley, deflected off the hand of the VCU goalie, and put into the net by McCormick.
The game-winner – which came in the sixth minute of overtime – was the first goal of McCormick’s collegiate career.
“We were focused on getting a corner and getting a goal in the first five,” McCormick said. “We executed it really well so, we are happy with the outcome.”
The one-goal decision also marked GW’s seventh total shutout this fall – tied for most in the A-10.
GW looks for its third straight conference win when they host the Fordham Rams on Sunday at home. Kickoff is slated for 1 p.m.
