With the regular season wrapping up for women’s soccer, the Mustangs hope to win their final game and gain momentum heading into the Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) Commonwealth tournament.
The Mustangs are coming off four marquee matchups between conference foes, including nationally ranked Arcadia and Messiah, as well as Alvernia and Lebanon Valley.
Arcadia entered week 6 (Oct. 18-25) of the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) poll at No. 12 and Messiah checked in at No. 9. In week 7 (Oct. 16-23) of the D3soccer.com poll, Arcadia entered at No. 22 as Messiah entered at No. 6.
VERSUS RANKED OPPONENTS
The Mustangs began a three-game home stand with an upset over the visitors, as they defeated Arcadia, 3-2, at Mustang Stadium on Oct. 15. The Mustangs jumped out to a 2-0 lead just before halftime before scoring again in the second half. Arcadia managed to score twice in the second half, but it wasn’t enough to get past the Mustangs.
According to gomustangsports.com, Arcadia entered the game as one of four undefeated teams in Division III.
“The goal was to keep them (Arcadia) out of our half of the field, and we did that,” said head coach Graeme Millar. “We focused on Arcadia, and we took them on like everyone else, and that’s one game at a time.”
On Oct. 18, the Mustangs hosted yet another nationally ranked team in Messiah. Down 1-0, the Mustangs managed to score in the second half. Despite a strong second half showing, Stevenson saw the Falcons answer with a goal of their own, ending the game 2-1.
The Mustangs were able to regroup as they ended the home stand with a 4-0 victory over Alvernia on Oct. 21. The win over the Crusaders marked junior goalkeeper Tiffany McKee’s 13th career clean sheet and her fifth of the season.
SENIOR NIGHT
The team also honored seniors Jordan Porretto, Jessica Demko, and Alexis Siejack at the team’s senior night against Alvernia. The seniors combined for 44 goals and 14 assists in 145 games for the program.
“It’s been an amazing four years, not only here at Stevenson but also being a part of this team,” said Siejack. “This 4-0 win made the night special.”
The Mustangs played the first of their final two regular season away games against Lebanon Valley on Oct. 26. Although the Mustangs jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the 29th minute with a goal by sophomore midfielder Emily Lord, the Flying Dutchmen scored three unanswered goals to secure the 3-1 victory.
THE MAC STANDINGS
With two conference losses, the Mustangs are in third place in the conference standings and own a spot in the MAC Commonwealth tournament. With a little help, they can find themselves as high as second in the standings. If Stevenson were to finish in third, the Mustangs would travel to Arcadia for a rematch.
The Mustangs wrap up the regular season on the road as they face the Lycoming Warriors in Williamsport, Pa. at noon on Oct. 29.
