NEWBERRY, S.C. – Although it may have been a little much to digest after a hard-fought victory over Queens University Thursday afternoon, the Lady Indian soccer team walked off the field at the Newberry Soccer Complex as the best women’s soccer team ever to dawn the scarlet and gray.
Entering the match Newberry needed just one win to set the all time record for wins in a season, and with a 3-1 decision over the Royals, they picked up their tenth win of the season, surpassing the 1999 Lady Indian squad who finished that particular season with nine wins. Beyond the record, Thursday’s win also guaranteed the Lady Indian soccer program its first winning season in school history.
“Our players have done a tremendous job all year at working hard and putting forth great effort in every game we have played,” said head coach Juan Pablo Favero. “We are starting to play better offensively and our team defense continues to be excellent.”
“I still think we can play better soccer on both ends of the field and we will continue to coach and teach these players so that we can continue to achieve more things for the program.”
The opening goal of the match was notched in the ninth minute by Adriana Farfan (West Palm Beach, Fla.), finding the net after a beautiful pass from Inga Woiwode (El Paso, Tex.). Kristin Parker (LaPorte, Tex.) also picked up an assist on the goal. That concluded the scoring in the first half, as the intermission was reached with Newberry on top 1-0.
Just 36 seconds in the second half, a hard tackle in the box by Newberry led to a Queens penalty kick. Hayley Pasko (Sterling, Va.) elected to take the shot, lining up against Lady Indian keeper Danielle Beckerle (St. Louis, Mo.). Pasko chose to send the ball to the right of the Newberry keeper, freezing Beckerle in her place as she expected left, and leveling the match at one.
The equalizer revitalized the Royals as they attacked the Indians with fervor for the next ten minutes, sending several shots at Beckerle. Unfortunately for Queens, Beckerle bested them each time. She finished the match with six saves.
In the 57th minute, the Lady Indians controlled the ball on a counter-attack near the box of Queens. Woiwode picked apart the Royal defenders on the left wing, in a magnificent display of individual effort, sending a cross into the opponent box. The ball was flicked by Farfan, then made its way to Parker, who sent it past Queens keeper Jenny Hasik (Columbia, S.C.) for the goal. The game-winner was Parker’s second on the season.
Newberry bought some much needed insurance in the 89th minute, as Woiwode finally found the net after setting up the first two goals. Woiwode finished the match with two assists and a goal, ending the week scoring nine total points.
“This was a very tough game against a very good opponent today and our ladies showed a lot of resilience in persevering after they tied the game,” Favero went onto to say. “We are excited we have been able to secure the first winning season in the program’s history, but this is no time to rest in our laurels, since we have an extremely difficult last stretch of the season coming up and a very tough week against two excellent teams.”
The Lady Indians hope to add to their historic win total next Thursday, as they host a 4 p.m. match with regionally ranked UNC Pembroke at the Newberry Soccer Complex. The match will be broadcast on www.newberryindians.com.
