George Washington women’s soccer blanks Delaware 3-0
WASHINGTON (Via George Washington University) – The George Washington women’s soccer team improved to 6-0-0 on the season with a dominant, 3-0, victory over Delaware on Thursday afternoon at the GW Soccer Field on the Mount Vernon Campus to wrap a three-match homestand.
Three different Colonials found the back of the net on Thursday as GW posted its fourth clean sheet of the season and avenged a loss at the hands of Delaware (1-6-0) from a year ago.
The Blue Hens took the first shot of the match, getting off a strong attempt toward the top half of the net, but redshirt junior goalkeeper Miranda Horn tipped the ball over the crossbar for the save.
The Buff and Blue took the lead in the 20th minute, when a Delaware goal kick was headed into the box by redshirt junior Ivana Szwejkowski. Senior MacKenzie Cowley then took a short dribble before firing a shot into the top half of the net to put the Colonials ahead, 1-0.
“I definitely saw the opportunity,” said Cowley. “Their center backs were playing wide of the 18, so I tried to get in the middle. I knew that if Ivana won the ball that I’d be able to get in behind. As soon as she won it I sprinted back, and Ivana got the ball to bounce right in front of me, so it was perfect.”
Horn went on to make one more save in the half to keep the Colonials ahead at the intermission.
Freshman Olivia Di Cristofaro increased GW’s lead with her first career goal in the 62nd minute, one-timing a laser cross from junior Brittany Cooperfrom deep in the right wing. The rookie redirected the airborne pass with a strong strike from just inside the back post to put the Colonials ahead, 2-0.
The Buff and Blue added another late in the game, when senior Kate Elson fired the ball across the box into the left side panel of the net with stunning precision to provide a comfortable, 3-0, lead in the 86th minute.
The Blue Hens took a last chance shot in the 90th minute, but the attempt went wide as GW secured the shutout victory.
Cowley’s goal marked her sixth of the season – one coming in each of GW’s matches. The forward now ranks fourth on GW’s all-time career goals list (26).
Elson’s goal was her first of the year, and GW has now received goals from five different Colonials in 2016.
“It’s a huge confidence booster to have so many people who have the ability to score,” said Cowley. “I know that if I’m not able to get in a position to score, someone else is able to get to it and finish.”
Horn finished with four saves and notched her fourth shutout of the season.
The Colonials have won their last 19 regular-season contests and are in the midst of their best-ever start to a season.
GW returns to action on Sunday afternoon at 2015 NCAA Tournament qualifier Liberty.
