By Dom Fralliccardi
After a 1-6 start, the Springfield college women’s soccer squad has won three in a row after defeating Coast Guard, 2-1. Riding high after two straight wins against NEWMAC opponents, Springfield looked for a big win against a physical Coast Guard team and that’s exactly what they did behind senior Meredith Haley and her phenomenal two-goal game.
From the opening kickoff, Springfield was flying around the field, beating Coast Guard to every loose ball and getting chances right away. In the seventh minute Springfield brought the ball up the right side, a pass to the right side put the ball on Healy’s foot as she shot it over the goalies head into the top left corner of the net, giving Springfield the upper hand early.
After setting the tone Springfield continued its strong start with great defense and aggressive play, as the Pride continued to frustrate Coast Guard leading to more great chances, including a golden opportunity just missing it over the crossbar. After a suffocating defensive showing Springfield led the Bears 1-0 going into halftime.
In the second half Coast Guard came out swinging. Its physicality was off the charts pushing and bodying Springfield players trying to win back that defensive edge and gain momentum. But that didn’t work as the Pride continued to enforce their will through the second half creating chance after chance, resulting in Healy’s second goal in the 67th minute.
This 2-0 lead didn’t last long though as Coast Guard sprinted up the field as Mia Forti tapped it in and scored, catching the Pride off guard and cutting their lead in half.
Springfield continued its stout defensive play the rest of the way, fending off chances and grinding out the last 20 minutes to hold on for a 2-1 victory. Springfield goalie Mallory Forgatch had an amazing game in goal with six saves and lots of clutch plays through anchoring a great defensive game by the Pride. Head coach Kursten Shade felt that the strong start and being back on their home surface helped with the big win.
“I think we absolutely dominated in the first half,” Shade said. “I think that was really positive for us that we had a lot of chances. I saw us be able to use our speed a lot more in this game. And so I think that was a great transition from the past couple of games. We played on grass. It was a little slower. So I was really happy with the speed that we saw today.”
Forward Meredith Healy credited her big game to her teammates and some advice from the coaching staff.
“I mean, it’s amazing. It was a group effort. None of it was just me. It was just placed nicely for me. Coach before the game he texted me, he’s like, ‘once you score one, you’re going to score another.’ So it was kind of the momentum of the game. Which was nice,” Healy said.
Next, Springfield faces off against a nationally ranked opponent, the No. 11 MIT Engineers, in a huge NEWMAC matchup looking to continue its hot streak and pick up another big win. Shade feels that the momentum from this game can carry over and help them on Saturday.
“It’s a little different game, just a different opponent,” Shade said. “It definitely gives us some confidence going into it. MIT’s great, a great team, and so it’s just a little different of a challenge. But I think finding the back of the net a couple times before a big game like that is really important.”
Photo courtesy of Springfield College Athletics