NEWBERRY, S.C. – After 110 minutes of extremely well-played and at times inspiring soccer, the dreaded penalty kick shootout had to be used to decide the winner in the first round of the Food Lion South Atlantic Conference Tournament, in a match pitting bitter rivals #4 Newberry and #5 Presbyterian against each other. While the Blue Hose move on to the second round by virtue of holding a 5-3 advantage in the shootout period, the record will reflect as it should, a tie match between two teams that played each other equally throughout the entire match. The Lady Indians finish the season at 13-5-1.
“It is difficult to lose in the way that we did,” said head coach Juan Pablo Favero. “But I am extremely proud to have coached this group of girls. We had a remarkable season and we can’t wait for our next opportunity to take the field.”
The battle on this particular day was more intense than most, although generally the rivalry between these two schools needs no extra incentive. Newberry defeated Presbyterian 4-2 on September 22nd for the first time in Newberry College history on the Blue Hose home turf earlier this season. Presbyterian was a team bent on revenge, while Newberry was a team not only trying to legitimize themselves as player in the 2004 SAC tournament, but also a team trying to overcome the illness of one of their top-defenders Greta Hewett (Charleston, S.C.), who had to sit out the game due to acute flu-like symptoms.
Presbyterian came out swinging, notching the opening goal off the foot of first team All-SAC midfielder Megan Smith (Greenville, S.C.). After a Newberry foul about ten yards outside of the Lady Indian box, Smith sent a bending shot over the Indian wall and out of the reach of an outstretched Newberry keeper Danielle Beckerle (St. Louis, Mo.).
Suddenly the Lady Indian side was faced with a challenge that they, as a team, have struggled with this season: Playing from behind. Only one time this season had Newberry recovered from a deficit to win a match (Sept. 29th, 4-3 over Lander).
The Lady Indians called upon their All-SAC first team midfielder Adriana Farfan (West Palm Beach, Fla.) for guidance, and guide she did, notching the equalizer in the 30th minute. The half ended with both teams knotted at one. The Lady Indians out shot Presbyterian eight to two in the first half, while PC held the advantage in corner kicks at two to one.
The majority of the second half was played in the midfield, as both teams patiently waited for their chance. Presbyterian’s best look at the net came in the 68th minute, when deadly first team All-SAC forward Claire Joyce (Aiken, S.C.) collected a smart through-ball, setting up a one vs. one with Newberry keeper Beckerle. Beckerle desperately slid underneath Joyce to snuff out the possible game-winner. Beckerle appeared to have taken a shin to the face, as she lay motionless for a few minutes after the save. However, she shook it off and played the rest of the half.
As the regulation time ended, the injury to Beckerle was not fully realized until she approached the Newberry sideline, displaying symptoms of a concussion. She was immediately replaced with Jennifer Fowler (Mooresville, N.C.) for the first overtime period. Fowler certainly made the most of her opportunity, playing with abandon as she displayed extraordinary aggressiveness throughout the remainder of the match.
Neither team had any important looks as the two teams headed to their second “Golden Goal” period. In the 108th minute, a hard take-down of Lady Indian forward Inga Woiwode (El Paso, Tex.) lead to a free kick just outside of the Blue Hose box. The kick by Woiwode sailed just high as the two teams seemed destined for penalty kicks. The final whistle blew, and both teams sent their best shooters for the best-of-five penalty kick shootout.
Presbyterian and Newberry alternated goals for the first two rounds, but after a make by the Blue Hose in the opening shot of the third round, a shot by Nicole Nilica (St. Louis, Mo.) was blocked by Presbyterian keeper Brittany Pecora (Myrtle Beach, S.C). Presbyterian made their final kicks, ensuring that they would move on to the second round of the SAC tournament.
It was fitting the Lady Indians left it all on the field of the Newberry Soccer Complex, after it had bared witness to the single greatest season in school history. This squad amassed 13 wins, four in conference, a road victory over Presbyterian, and two near-upsets of top-ten competition. They played good, clean soccer, and they did it with youth, as 18 members of the team were freshman. They ended a 29-game conference losing streak. Even the SAC took up notice, as several Lady Indians racked up post-season awards, and their coach named as the top coach in the SAC this season.
So I guess you might say the Lady Indians walked off the field after a tie, winners, in a loss. Whatever you call it, Newberry College has an exciting few years upcoming, as this team strives to step up and what is theirs.
