By Charlie Maisano
It has truly been a struggle for the Fordham Women’s Soccer team over the last three weeks. This week was no different for the Rams.
They began their week on Thursday against the second-worst team in the Atlantic 10, the Davidson Wildcats. This season, Davidson is 0-7-1 in the conference and 2-14-1 overall. They entered the game on a seven-game losing streak, so it was an opportune time for the Rams to pounce on the Wildcats, get back on track and remain in the hunt for the A-10 tournament.
The first half was a back and forth affair with both goalkeepers facing tests early on. Rams sophomore goalkeeper Kelly LaMorte was tasked to stop a shot attempt from Davidson sophomore forward Allison Gray. Gray, Davidson’s leading goal scorer with four this season, smashed a left-footed shot from 20-yard line on the left side of the field. LaMorte was able to stop the shot on a hop to her left and continue play.
Davidson senior goalie Becca Ravitz also had to remain on her toes in the first half, making two saves from shots made by freshman Emma Johnson and sophomore Morgan Busacca. Ravitz’s night would not get any easier in the second half, as Fordham took six shots and were constantly on the attack. For the third game in a row, both regulation and one overtime period was not enough for the Rams to finish off their opponent.
After taking two more shot attempts in double overtime, the women did not score and the game ended in a scoreless draw. It is not unlike the Rams to not have opportunities to score, considering this was the fourth game in a row the team outshot their opponent. The defense played a phenomenal game once again, only allowing two shots on goal the entire game; both were in the first half.
The Rams had to put the draw behind them and stay focused because on Sunday, a huge task loomed ahead. They travelled to Philadelphia to battle with the La Salle Explorers, the best team in the A-10. The Explorers entered the day with a seven-game winning streak and had a 12-3-1 overall record.
The Department of Defense stepped up once again and kept the Rams in the contest the whole way through. Although the defense was able to carry the load for the Rams, the offense continued to struggle. The La Salle defense held Fordham to four shots the entire game, with only two on goal.
With the offense in a funk, the Rams defense continued to keep the team in the game, until their one critical mistake in the 86th minute. A Fordham defender fouled redshirt senior Danielle Marx and the Explorers were awarded a penalty kick. Fellow senior Kristin Haugstad did not waste the opportunity, as she scored the eventual game-winner to give the Explorers the 1-0 victory. Overall, head coach Jessica Clinton was impressed with the team’s effort.
“I thought their effort and style of play was outstanding,” said Clinton. “The toughness and overall play was at a high level and I loved their attention to detail.”
The Rams are now 2-4-2 in the A-10 and drop to 5-7-5 overall on the season. The team has not scored a goal in six games and there are only two games left in the season. The team is in serious trouble and could miss the A-10 tournament for the first time since 2014. Coach Clinton, however, does not want to look ahead and is focused on one game at a time.
“It’s one day at a time to get better and get prepared but we approach it knowing we are in control of our own actions and thoughts and cannot worry about anyone or thing else outside of Fordham Women’s Soccer.”
The team plays their last regular season road game on Thursday in Philadelphia against Saint Joseph’s Hawks at 7 p.m. The Rams wrap up the regular season at home on Sunday against the Saint Louis Billikens at 1 p.m.
