Braves Use Extra Space to Beat Blue Devils
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. -- Despite an early goal from sophomore Cori Ghidotti, the Drury girls' soccer team fell 2-1 to Taconic in a game held at the MCLA Athletic Complex on Monday.Ghidotti finished off a beautiful cross from senior Mariah Ferrara seven and a half minutes into the game, but it was the Braves (2-2-3) who took advantage of the large turf surface at Ron Shewcraft Field. Lily Handerek followed Ghidotti's goal with a strike of her own two minutes later before Ari Cardillo scored unassisted with just over 15 minutes left in the first half for the game-winning goal.
"We came out strong and put away a beautiful cross by Mariah," Blue Devils head coach Molly Meczywor said. "Unfortunately, we let down a bit and let them score two goals, one on lack of communication and the other giving too much room in the midfield, easily correctible mistakes."
Despite seeing her team fall to 3-3-2 on the year, Meczywor was encouraged by her club's effort in the second half against a North Division opponent.
"It was a physical game and the girls really stepped up to the pressure," she said. "We had several great runs in the second half and several opportunities to score. Our weakness was not utilizing the width of the field and creating space. This team, however, has demonstrated improvement through each game of the season so far."
Taconic held a 16-9 advantage in shots in the game, but sophomore midfielder Morgan Lamarre and junior goalie Ali Tatro made sure the Braves stayed off the scoreboard in the second half. Tatro finished with 14 saves as her three-game shutout streak was snapped in the process.
Drury next plays at rival Hoosac Valley at 6 p.m. at Renfrew Field on Thursday.