The graduation of eight former players did not faze the women's soccer team during the opening weekend of the season. After a one-goal loss to Northeastern (3-2) on Friday, the Bears (1-1) came back to dominate Colgate (1-4) on Sunday and took the Dartmouth Nike Classic Title. In the points-based tournament in Hanover, N.H., the team earned enough to secure the tournament title.
The win was particularly important in light of the changing team dynamic. Ten freshmen joined the squad, making over half the team underclassmen.
"The two games gave us a chance to learn about and play with each other," said Gina Walker '11.
Northeastern 1, Brown 0
On Friday, Eliza Marshall '13 helped her team come out strong in the first half, recording Bruno's first three shots. But a goal by Northeastern's Veronica Napoli in the middle of the first half would determine the game.
Despite the Huskies' goal, Brown continued to attack, firing off five shots in the last 17 minutes of the first period, none of which found the back of the net. In the second half, Bruno again out-shot Northeastern, 6-4, but could not find a way past the Huskies' goalkeeper Michelle Sopko, who kept Friday's final score at 1-0.
In the first game of the season, seven freshmen made their debuts in collegiate soccer, including goalkeepers MC Barrett '13 and Amber Bledsoe '13, who together blocked four of the Huskies' shots on goal. Working with new players and new strategies, Friday's game was a time for "getting all the kinks out," said forward Erika Lum '11.
Brown 3, Colgate 0
The kinks were certainly gone by Sunday afternoon, as Lum scored just minutes into the game for the first Brown goal of the year. In the second half, Marybeth Lesbirel '12 assisted on Bruno's second and third goals, setting up Lum and Walker, respectively.
As a team, the Bears excelled offensively, with 12 shots on goal compared to Colgate's five. On defense, the team prevented any shots on goal in the entire second half.
In the tournament-winning game, Head Coach Phil Pincince played all 22 members of the traveling team and said he was excited that the freshmen had "gotten their feet wet." The tournament win was "pretty rewarding for the new members," Pincince said.
In addition to the team's title, individual players were further honored. Lum, Walker and Allison Kagawa '12 were named to the All-Tournament Team and Lum was also named offensive MVP.
Players said the newly constructed team played well together.
"The progress we made this weekend was a great starting point for the season," Walker said. "I believe we have a lot of potential this year."
The Bears continued to test their new team dynamic Wednesday night, as they faced No. 5 Boston College in an away game. Bruno returns to Providence to host its first home game on Saturday at 2 p.m. against Monmouth.
