Elizabeth Muirhead ’20 | Assistant Sports Editor
Last Saturday, Smith’s soccer team took on Wellesley in a sunny 2 p.m. home game and then Amherst College in a 2 p.m. away game on Sunday.
Entering the weekend, Smith was trying to improve a winning record of 4-2-0. They lost their first game of the season against Carleton College. They then went on to win four of their next five games against New Paltz, Nichols College, Oneonta and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Their second loss of the season came against Hartwick College. The games early in the season help to set the tone and establish the team in the greater landscape of women’s college soccer in New England.
Smith’s soccer team is a part of the New England Men’s and Women’s Athletic Conference, or NEWMAC. Their first six games of the season were non-conference games; Wellesley would be their first conference game, adding additional pressure.
On a sweltering Saturday afternoon, the Pioneers stepped up the intensity and commanded the field. Even though the first half of the game was scoreless, Smith managed seven shots while Wellesley only took one.
During the second half of the game, the first and only goal was scored by Etienne Oliver ’21. This was Oliver’s first goal of the season. By the end of the game, Smith racked up 16 shots, six of which were on goal. Wellesley only took five shots with two on goal. The win brought Smith’s record up to an impressive 5-2-0 and left Wellesley with a 3-3-0 record. Additionally, the win gives goalie Naomi Falkenberg ’22 of Sutton, Mass. her third shutout of the season.
On Sunday, the Pioneers headed to Amherst where they unfortunately lost 0-2. After the first half, the game was still scoreless. Smith only managed to take two shots while Amherst took 11.
Early in the second half, Amherst’s Caleigh Plaut ’19 managed to score their first goal. 24 minutes later, Amherst’s Alexa Juarez ’22 scored their second and final goal. Even though a 0-2 loss is frustrating, Falkenberg played well, making eight saves. With their win this weekend, Amherst has a record of 4-1-0.
So far, Smith sits fifth in their conference out of 11 teams, but every team in the conference has only played one conference game, which means that rankings are still arbitrary. There is still plenty of time for teams to settle into their rhythm.
Smith’s next conference game is at home this coming Saturday, against MIT.
Last season, Smith’s loss to MIT was a tough 0-6 away game. Given Smith’s winning record so far, there’s reason to be optimistic. If you have the opportunity, grab your friends and come support the soccer team this weekend.
