By Peter Gallagher |
The Pilots’ 10-game winning streak came to an end late Saturday night, as conference rival BYU scored in the 78th minute to secure a 1-0 win over the sixth ranked women’s soccer team. The defeat adds a new sense of urgency for the squad over the final three matches of the season beginning this Thursday afternoon in Moraga, Calif., when the Pilots take on the struggling St. Mary’s Gaels, which currently sit at the bottom of the WCC.
A spirited Villa Drum Squad, over 5,000 spectators, and basketball head coach Eric Reveno, clad in only a kilt and jersey, sounded their support for the Pilots at Merlo Field. Despite a series of dangerous runs down the wings and activity in front of goal, the Pilots simply could not place the ball on frame. The low shot count betrayed an otherwise tremendous showing from both sides.
“The best part about playing for UP is playing good soccer,” senior Micaela Capelle said. “We played some great balls out of pressure. You come to UP to play good soccer, and I think that we did that. We just couldn’t create in front of goal tonight.”
Emotions ran high given the long standing rivalry between the two sides. Pilots defender Lorielle McCluskie received a yellow card in the 76th minute after tangling with BYU goalie Erica Owens. Three minutes later, and only seconds after her goal, Hatch received a booking after a reckless tackle.
“To me it was more than a game,” McCluskie said. “It was personal on some levels. Because of things between the schools, between the players, I just wanted to come out and prove a point that we’re the better team.”
The only goal of the evening emerged in the 78th minute, when BYU freshman forward Ashley Hatch capitalized on a dangerous cross into Portland’s box. The shot skittered past goalie Erin Dees, who had only allowed eight goals in eleven conference matches.
“Everybody treats the game differently,” Capelle said of the physical play between the two sides. “For me, it’s just another game. Yes, they are a rival. But I don’t know. It’s tough. It’s tough to lose to anybody. It’s not that it’s BYU, it just would’ve been tough to lose to anybody.”
The Villa Drum Squad, unwavering supporters of Pilots soccer, matched the passion on the field with their signature flair. Minutes before kick off, the squad raised an enormous tifo that depicted a Spartan warrior with the phrase “Return to Glory.” The banner included the years 2002 and 2005, referring to the two Pilots’ NCAA championship seasons.
For now, the Pilots’ focus is not on the recent past or distant future, but their performance in the upcoming match at St. Mary’s.
“At the beginning of the year we set goals, and one of the goals was to win the WCC,” McCluskie said of the Pilots’ mentality entering the season’s final stretch. “We’re still in the running and we’re placed at number two, but it definitely makes us want to work that much harder and earn that number one spot.”
For Capelle, McCluskie and the rest of the Pilots squad, earning the top spot in the tightly contested WCC means sticking to a style of play that has taken them within reach of their preseason goals.
“If we continue to do what we’re doing, we’re gonna go far, play awesome, and be fine,” Capelle said. “It’s pretty to watch, and that’s why people come here, why they come to UP to watch us play. (Coach) told us we’re playing good soccer, and to keep doing that.”
