Women’s soccer lose to Ursinus in double overtime in first round of CC championship
Photo courtesy of Gettysburg College website. Sophomore Haley Brazier and the Bullets tied a school record with their 13th shutout of the season.
By Ernie Ribera, Contributing Writer
The Gettysburg women’s soccer team lost to Ursinus College in the first round of the Centennial Conference Tournament in penalty kicks. The Bears took a 3-1 advantage in penalty kicks taking the game after a hard fought battle.
The Bullets held Ursinus (12-5-1), to only three shots in the first half, and two in the second half. Senior Goalkeeper Eliza Gray had four saves, while adding to her school record of twelve shutouts in a single season. This shutout was the thirteenth of the season for the Bullets, which ties the school record.
The Bullets outshot the Bears 19-5, but couldn’t execute. Not only did Gettysburg have the advantage with shots, but they also had the upper hand in corner kicks (7-4) with two great opportunities in the first half.
In the first half, Gettysburg was awarded a free kick right outside of the box. Junior Julia Ramsey sent a perfect pass into the box to junior Hannah Theurer but Theurer’s shot went over the crossbar. Another opportunity came later in the first half when sophomore Haley Brazier’s shot from inside the box hit the top of the crossbar.
In overtime, the Bullets came very close to scoring. Midway through the first period in overtime, senior Lauren Shapiro took a shot from twenty yards out but it hit off the left side of the crossbar.
Even though this loss was clearly rough for the team, the season was no less than a success. The Bullets finished the regular season with just two losses and ten wins.
First-year starting midfielder Alexa Bushey said, “We had a very successful season and accomplished a lot of the goals we set as a team.”
Bushery also said that the loss to Ursinus was “tough, but ending the regular season with two losses is great accomplishment as a team.”
The Bullets two losses came from Ursinus on Sept. 19 and to then number 20 Swarthmore College on Oct. 10.
Senior production from goalkeeper Eliza Gray, defender Cailin DiGiacomo, and forwards Lauren Shapiro and Melissa Seidner will be missed greatly as the Bullets look towards next season.
First-year Alexa Bushey speaks fondly of the senior class. She said, “We had the best four seniors this year and we’re really going to miss their leadership on and off the field. All of them are phenomenal players and individuals”.
Eight starters will return next season for the Bullets.
As Alexa Bushey said, “the team will have more confidence and will continue the momentum from this season to be even more successful”.
The Bullets will hope for a possible at-large berth in the NCAA Tournament with a 10-2-6 record.
