BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Down 2-0 with a minute to play in the first half on Sunday on the HUB Quad, the Moravian College women's soccer team showed the kind of no-quit attitude against Drew University that will help a late-season push to the Landmark Conference playoffs.
Sophomore forward Micaela Kwochka drew the Greyhounds (5-8, 1-2 Landmark) closer in the 44th minute with her fourth goal of the season, but the Rangers held on through a scoreless second half to win the match 2-1 and remain perfect in Landmark play at 3-0.
After the game, head coach Brienne Smith asked her squad who they truly believed was the better team after 90 minutes of play.
"They said, 'We were,'" Smith admitted. "They really believe that. Drew is 10-1 and the best team in the conference right now, and we were better than them in many phases of this game. What stinks is even when we're possessing the ball and looking like the better team, we still gave up some easy goals and had to play from behind. Their goals were preventable and we missed some chances to tie it up and take a lead."
The Moravian goalkeeping contingent kept the Greyhounds in the game as senior Genevieve Chaleff and sophomore Jacqueline Zalis each came up with five saves. Each keeper made a pair of diving stops and broke up possible breakaway goals with sliding tackles at the edge of the 18-yard box. Chaleff took the loss after playing the first half.
One of the near misses came in the 60th minute, when freshman Valentina Margiottiello's shot grazed the crossbar and flew out of play.
Kwochka's goal developed off a defensive giveaway from the Rangers, and the sophomore slotted home her fourth goal of the season on a breakaway. Kwochka is making her presence known up front in the absence of star junior forward Kirsten Schall, who is out with an injury.
"We don't usually hand out Player of the Game in a loss, but Mic won it today because of how well she played," Smith said. "She's that kid that's wanted it so bad for so long, and it's finally starting to come together for her. It's a great time to be stepping up because there's a big hole to fill with Kirsten still out. It's good to see her finish with such composure."
Senior Caroline Clark was also active at forward for the Greyhounds, putting both of her shots on goal on Sunday. Her header in the 2nd minute and a low-bouncing shot in the 8th minute forced the Drew keeper to make two saves.
Margiottiello had another chance in the 79th with a shot on goal, forcing another save from the Rangers.
Despite a loss on Sunday, the Greyhounds immediately looked forward to the next time the two sides can meet: in the Landmark Conference playoffs, where Moravian can prove they are the better team with a postseason victory.
"Our goal now is to make sure we qualify for the playoffs so we can get another chance at them," Smith said.
The Greyhounds return to action on Wednesday, Oct. 16 with a non-conference road match at Rutgers-Camden at 7 p.m. Moravian continues Landmark Conference play on Saturday, Oct. 19 when Juniata College comes to the HUB Quad at 1 p.m.
