The Massachusetts women’s soccer team (7-3) will finish up its homestand this weekend with a matchup against Dayton (3-3-3) today and one versus the Xavier Musketeers (5-7) on Sunday.
Friday’s game will be UMass’ first against the Dayton Flyers in three years. In 2003 the Minutewomen suffered a frustrating 1-0 loss. The lone goal was scored in the game’s 43rd minute by junior midfielder Tesia Kozlowski.
By 2006, however, Kozlowski and many of that squad’s other key components, such as fellow midfielder Katie Lowstutter, have been lost to graduation.
But, a new generation of Flyers has made residence in Dayton, Ohio, and UMass coach Jim Rudy has spent all week preparing his players for it.
“[Freshman forward/midfielder] Mandi Back has done some damage for them, but they’re playing so many people – it’s amazing,” Rudy said. “They have 24 people who have started for them this year.”
Rudy also paid kudos to freshman forward Caitlin Proffitt, who has recorded two goals and an assist thus far.
But, Rudy knows he has a talented bunch of players himself and expects every one of them to contribute.
Junior forward Britt Canfield is the Maroon and White’s leading scorer and has developed a flare for the dramatic.
“Britt’s only a threat,” Rudy said. “She’d be having what looks like a bad day and the next thing you know she’s stuck one in the net.”
Rudy mentioned that he is a little concerned about the beating Canfield’s body has taken the last few games – especially last Sunday against La Salle.
The Granville, Mass., native was knocked to the ground repeatedly by the Explorers, who are notorious for their physical play.
“It was a hard game that was just below violent,” Rudy commented. “I think the word’s out – watch No. 10. She has definitely taken her licks this year.”
Canfield has registered five goals and two assists this season for a combined total of 12 points.
Second on the team in the goals category is sophomore forward Vanessa Patry. She has racked up a sum of 10 points on the year – with 4 goals and 2 assists.
“She’s a smart kid out there,” Rudy said. “She’s winning air balls for us, winning headers, getting balls connected and occasionally getting through and getting her cracks on the goal.”
The 19-year-old, who scored on the first shot of her collegiate career in 2005, is looking to heal some of the heartbreak of losing to rival La Salle.
“It was a deep burn,” Patry said. “We worked hard and everything – things just didn’t go our way. We had some opportunities, but the ball just didn’t roll our way that day.”
What added salt to the Minutewomen’s wounds was seeing one of their teammates, junior midfielder/defender Tina Rodriguez, go down with an injury.
While fighting for a ball with a La Salle player, Rodriguez tumbled hard to the turf and immediately began clutching her knee. She was scheduled for some tests to determine what would happen in regards to her playing time, but Rudy admits that it doesn’t look good.
Also on Sunday’s casualty list was junior defender Christina Nunes. She was removed from the game due to a bloody chin as a result of a La Salle elbow. The cut required five stitches, but she is expected to play today.
In Rodriguez’s absence, Rudy will probably adjust Patry’s positioning on the field, making way for freshman Sydney Stoll to make her first collegiate start.
The 5-foot-4-inch forward is a first-year student from Dedham, Mass., and is the only freshman to score a goal for UMass this season.
Rudy says he expects all of his players will contribute today and try to finish off the season’s homestretch with a bang.
The Minutewomen will still be mending their battle wounds when they begin preparing for Xavier on Sunday, but Rudy has stated that his players are ready for anything.
