By Drew Casey

After completing its non-conference schedule at 6-4-0, the Fordham women’s soccer team opened up its eight-game Atlantic 10 schedule this past weekend.

On Friday afternoon, the team battled Virgina Commonwealth University at Jack Coffey Field and fell 1-0. Two days later, the squad faced off with George Washington University and drew 1-1.

“I think the team’s overall performance the last two games [was] above average,” Jessica Clinton, the team’s first-year head coach, said. “I am happy with our play for the games, but as always, there are areas of improvement.”

Friday’s contest with the VCU Rams, originally scheduled for 7 p.m., was moved up to 1 p.m. to accommodate Fordham football’s nationally televised football game against Lafayette. The earlier start did not seem to affect either team:  They combined to fire 10 shots in the first 45 minutes. Fordham registered six of the 10 shots, but only the Rams from central Virginia were able to find the back of the net in the first half.

In the second half, Fordham came out with a vengeance to tie the score and had multiple quality scoring chances. Senior goalkeeper Ally White kept the team in the game, but her teammates could not find the back of the net. The best chances throughout the contest came from sophomore defender Brianna Blunck and junior midfielder Ivana Lahcanski, who each had four shots in the game.

With a football game and a men’s soccer game in between, the team closed the weekend on Sunday with a 4 p.m. match against the George Washington Colonials. George Washington netted a goal in the final minutes of the first half before freshman midfielder Natalie Sims tied the score in the 71st minute. Sophomore defender Ally Doyle assisted on Sims’ second goal of the season.

The final 19 minutes ticked away without another goal, and the game headed to overtime tied at one. George Washington dominated the first and second overtime periods, outshooting the Rams 8-1 in the 20 minutes of additional time, but White was again stellar between the pipes. The Diablo, California native made multiple game-saving stops and was the main reason Fordham drew with the Colonials.

“Ally White has been great in goal,” Clinton said.  “She is getting better each game with her organization and dominance.  She stepped up big time against GW with some key saves that kept us in the game, and we will need Ally to continue to be a rock for us as we continue with A-10 play.”

“This Fordham team wants to and will compete in the conference tournament,” Clinton said. “The only adjustment that will continue to help us be more successful moving forward is our mental toughness through the 90 [plus] minutes.”

The team is now 6-5-1 overall and 0-1-1 in the A-10. They are currently 11th in the conference, but still have plenty of time to get into the top eight and qualify for the Atlantic 10 Championship. The squad travels to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to face conference leading LaSalle this Saturday.

Drew Casey is a Staff Writer for The Fordham Ram.