Broadside Sports

John Powell, Asst. Sports Editor

The George Mason University women’s soccer team took on University of Maryland, Baltimore County Retrievers Tuesday night. The Retrievers were winless coming into the match and were winless going out. The Patriots took care of the match by scoring three times in the second half.

There was only one goal in the first half at the 12-minute mark, scored by freshman forward Tiana Kallenberger. For the goal, senior forward Annie Lebherz found Kallenberger at the top of the box, who turned for the goal, the first in 33 minutes.

“We were getting it in there, but we were a little bit off in our selection or we were a little bit too tight in our outside,” said Head Coach Diane Drake.

This shows how, while the Patriots seemed to have countless scoring opportunities, they were unable to capitalize.

Drake gave a motivating halftime speech, leading to three second-half goals. The Patriots learned from their dismal first-half showing and attacked with gusto in the second half, and, with heightened communication and hustle.

The second half success came to a head when Kallenberger scored the goal after a block, followed 30 seconds later by a score from Lebherz.

“We had so many opportunities, but it was just the finishing,” said Lebherz. “I think we have great team chemistry.”

Not only focused on her personal statistics, she fed the ball to Kallenberger before punching one in herself.
At the 88th minute, freshman forward Jessica Pisasale found senior forward Theresa DeLucca, who punched in the final score high in the goal. Retrievers goalie Van Vlerah jumped to block the ball, but it was kicked just out of reach for the goal.

Freshman goalkeeper Katie Frey did not have a direct shot against her, but her high-energy gameplay forced her out of the blocks, stopping possible Retrievers’ offensive surges before they could get started.

The relatively young defense ran their scoreless minutes streak to more than 294 minutes, the longest since the team ran almost 325 minutes without allowing a score.

“I feel like the only way to [play] is to progress,” said Kallenberger.

The Patriots had a game against the James Madison Dukes on Thursday night.

After Monday’s game, Drake said, “Thursday is the start of the new season,” referring to the opening of the conference part of their schedule.

The Patriots lost 2-1 in their Colonial Athletic Association home opener Thursday night to the Dukes. Freshman midfielder Mary Kate Lowry was credited with the lone score.