Starting Sept. 3, 2019, the Virginia Wesleyan women’s soccer team began an unparalleled streak. The team played in five straight overtime contests. The first of the five games came against long-time rival Christopher Newport University. The Marlins would ultimately fall to the nationally fourth-ranked Captains in double overtime by a score of one to nil. The Marlin’s women’s soccer team would fall to 2-1 on the season. This was a defensive battle, tallying just 12 shots on goal throughout the entire with 105 minutes of the match. Goalie Tristen Roberts clutched out a pair of saves in the final minutes of regulation. After a scoreless first overtime period, the Captains would score the game-winner with just 4:41 left on the clock. Roberts would wind up saving six shots for the Marlins.
The Marlins faced off against Dickinson College on Sept. 7, on the campus of Christopher Newport University. The game saw just 14 shots total between the two teams. The Red Devils of Dickinson College scored at the 40 minute mark to give them the lead going into halftime. Abby Peterson was able to tie this one up with a goal in minute 62, assisted by Emily Wright. Both teams remained scoreless through both overtime periods and this contest ended in a 1-1 draw. The Marlins moved to 2-1-1 on the season.
The Marlins took on the Sea Gulls of Salisbury University on Sept. 11 and this one was a true tale of two halves. Sailsbury was in control early as the Sea Gulls attempted 9 shots to the Marlins 3, scoring the only goal of the first half Wesleyan would come out in the second half very much alive in the second half firing off 11 shots. Camryn Terry scored the lone goal for the Marlins in the minute 26. Neither team would find the net again and the game would end in a 1-1 draw. The Marlins would move to 2-1-2 on the season.
In her second-ever game with the Marlins, freshman Gabrielle Lindo was the Marlins’ hero. The Marlins found themselves in yet another double-overtime game on Sept. 14, 2019 with time winding down. However, Lindo would not be denied on her quest to end this game as she scored the winning goal with just 66 seconds remaining in the second overtime period. The first Marlin goal came off the leg of Kennedi Anders in minute 72. The Marlins improved on the season to a record of 3-1-2.
The Marlins took on St. Mary’s College of Maryland on Sept. 18. Tied 2-2 at the end of regulation the Marlins found themselves in their fifth consecutive overtime game. Halfway through the 10 minute overtime period, the Marlins dug deep as Abby Peterson passed to Reina Araujo who them found a way to get the ball to Carleigh Van Reenan who would find the net for the Marlins.
The Marlins improved to 4-1-2 on the season. When asked what the mentality has been for the team through this long stretch, junior Emily Wright said, “We know that were getting tougher both mentally and physically and we know we’ll come out of it a better team.” Junior Maddie Koch said, “I think chemistry wise it has definitely tested our patience. It required us to continue to stay locked in, since double OT consistently can be tedious not only to us physically but mentally. It requires us to dig deep and come together as a team. I have been surprised with the amount of people that have stepped up this season. After losing our entire back line to graduation, I believe that is something to be undeniably proud of.”
Austin Edmonds
acedmonds@vwu.edu
