By Charlie Maisano
The Fordham women’s soccer team’s wait to ring the Victory Bell has finally ended. After tying #18 UConn 2-2 in double OT on Sunday the 10th, the Rams were well rested for their matchup against Columbia on Friday night. The rest was especially helpful for senior midfielder Carlie Wagner who put on a star-studded performance. Wagner scored both goals in the Rams’ 2-0 victory in what was her first career two-goal performance. The first one came in the 13th minute, assisted by a gorgeous pass by sophomore Morgan Busacca. After getting around the Lions’ defender, Wagner placed the ball into the back left corner of the net right past the outstretched hands of the Columbia goalie. Her second goal in the 63rd minute was déjà vu from the 13th minute, as the sophomore-senior duo worked their magic again. Right in front of a defender, Busacca headed a pass towards the right side of the box where Wagner was able to collect it on the run. The Paradise Valley native did the rest, scorching the ball into the top left corner of the net from the 15-yard line on Jack Coffey Field to give the Rams a 2-0 lead. Head coach Jessica Clinton was impressed, to say the least, by Wagner’s night.
“Carlie’s goals were beautiful. As of late, Carlie has really turned up her play,” said Clinton. “I think part of it is that she’s a senior and her game clock is running out. She’s making the most of every moment and you don’t fully understand the senior countdown clock feeling until you are there. For four years, this is everything Carlie (and her senior class) has known.”
Prior to the game against Hartford on Sunday, the Rams had some fun and reconnected with some old faces. Fordham welcomed back former members of the Women’s Soccer team in the Alumni Game at Jack Coffey Field. At the conclusion of the game, the alumni, family and friends were able to talk and spend time with the current roster and coaching staff. Sophomore midfielder Juliana Mascelli was excited for the festivities.
“Seeing the alumni and old teammates is always a good time. Since I’ve been a part of this program, the relationships I’ve created with everyone are incredible and we are all so close. These girls are my best friends and I know everyone feels the same so it’s just nice to see the girls that have graduated, I know a few are coming that I played with last year and I can’t wait. It’s fun even for the older alumni that everyone doesn’t personally know because it’s nice to play and have them see where the program is now and how it’s progressed because of the work and environment that they helped to build before us.”
The weekend celebrations were cut short however, as the Rams fell to the Hartford Hawks 2-1. The Rams are now 3-3-3 for the season. The team struggled to contain the Hawks on the defensive side of the ball, as they were able to loose 13 shots, 8 of which were on goal. Brooke Salmon netted her first goal of the season in the 84th minute, but the women weren’t able to mount a comeback like they did exactly a week ago against the UConn Huskies.
“We did not get the result we wanted but we learned a lot about our players and our team. It may have been the most mentally engaging game this season. We had asked our group to take a step up and some did, some others aren’t there yet … The Hartford game will serve us in experience in the long run,” said Clinton.
The Rams will look to close out their four game home stand on a high note, when they take on Rhode Island in their first Atlantic 10 matchup of the season on Thursday.
