Following a tough loss to Williams, the Colby women’s soccer team was looking to get back on the right track this week in their home games against Maine Maritime Academy (MMA) and Middlebury.
The game against MMA provided the perfect opportunity for Colby to bounce back. Colby dominated the whole game, allowing only one shot on goal as opposed to the 29 they fired at the MMA net.
Colby’s streak of 204 minutes without a goal ended with junior Katie Palano’s unassisted goal 19 minutes into the game. Co-captain Mari Crommett ’11 doubled the lead with a beautiful shot over the goalie’s head at the 66th minute. Colby put the finishing touches on a decisive victory with Marissa Simmons ’12’s goal at the 82nd minute. Jayde Bennett continued her masterful comeback season with her fourth shutout in six games.
When asked to comment on Bennett’s performance, coach Jen Holsten said, “Jayde has been playing very well and consistently. She has worked tirelessly.”
Despite Bennett’s best efforts, with spectacular saves at the 12th, 19th, 42nd, 57th, 83rd and 86th minutes, Colby was not able to hold off Middlebury four days later. Middlebury having capitalized on two opportunities at the 25th and 43rd minutes to take a 2-0 lead.
After the half, Coach Holsten decided to “play three forwards, which forced us to take out a back. You know, anytime you are trying to get an equalizer, some holes may open at the back.” While Middlebury was able to get many more long shots off at goal, Bennett was on the trajectory of each shot and did not allow another score. The great discipline instilled by coach Holsten in the team, displayed by the whole bench standing for the duration of the game, continued to show its fruits with controlled passing and many chances that included shots at the 47th minute by Kate Laxson, 62nd minute by Kat McCarrick, 64th minute by Annie Papadellis, and a moment of confusion in the box that led to the ball skidding just right of the goal at the 87th minute.
Despite the tough loss, Colby showed that they were able to keep up with a Middlebury team that beat them 3-0 last year. With seven games left in the season, Colby will need to move forward from this game quickly. Coach Holsten is determined to do this by “recognizing our mistakes, and working on finishing.”
With games against the University of Maine-Farmington Wednesday and Tufts Saturday, Colby will have a chance to do just that at home this week.