The women’s soccer team lost both its matches this weekend, suffering a 9-0 blowout dealt by the University of Mobile and losing by the slightest of margins to NCAA Division I Southern University with a final of 1-0.
A 13th minute goal from Southern’s Almarie Soto-Ortiz was all it took to put the visiting Jaguars out of the Wolfpack’s reach on Sunday.
Southern rolled in town fresh off a 2-1 win over Alcorn St. last Friday, as a team Loyola previously defeated this year 4-3.
At halftime Coach David Poggi adjusted so as to put Spanish sophomore Cece Colbert in position to make some runs at the goal, with the best pressure on goal coming from Marina Meza, political science junior, off a pass from Colbert.
The Jaguars goalkeeper collapsed on the ball before Meza could get an opportunity to score.
Loyola remained in the game due to the efforts in goal by goalkeeper Jordann Webster, international business freshman, who saved 10 shots on goal, including two saves where Southern had chances from close range.
Defender Katy Neville, communications junior, remained confident and said the team will learn from their losses during the weekend.
“We just have to regroup as a team and if we can make it through the tough games,” Neville said, “then we will be able to succeed in conference play.”
Coach David Poggi said he saw improvements.
“Despite of the score line, there were some things that we worked on during the week regarding our defensive shape, which we improved on,” Poggi said.
“We took two injuries in the first half, and they were definitely a factor in us being unable to withstand the amount of pressure that they put on us,” he said.
Mobile 9, Loyola 0
Against Mobile last Friday night, the Wolfpack faced a side with ten of their eleven starters featuring international players. Players came from international soccer powerhouses Brazil, Denmark and Norway.
Mobile had lost to the No. 1 team in the nation the previous weekend, but came up with the opposite results against the ‘Pack, overwhelming them with a decisive victory.
Mobile, winners of two consecutive Golf Coast Athletic Conference championships and a top regional ranking, continued to push the accelerator in their win.
Mobile’s Kelly Baltieri opened the scoring at the 12-minute mark, placing the ball in the upper corner, and Terri McCreadie scored three goals in the second half of the match to put Mobile out of reach.
Harold Kuntz can be reached at [email protected].
