Box Score Junior Jessica Skelly buried a loose ball from point blank range in the 84th minute to lift the Denison women's soccer team to a 1-0 victory over DeSales (Pa.) University in the opening round of the 2015 NCAA Division III Women's Soccer Championship Tournament at Barclay-Thomsen Field in Granville.
With the win, the Big Red will take on fourth-ranked Washington University-St. Louis in the second round of the 2015 NCAA Tournament at Barclay-Thomsen Field on Sunday (Nov. 15) at 1 p.m. The Bears secured their spot in the second round with 4-0 victory over York (Pa.) College.
Denison dominated play in the opening half, outshooting the Bulldogs 11-1. At 5:01, junior Ashlyn Flaherty unloaded a shot that required a diving save by Emily Hoats. Freshman Maggie Armstrong followed just 14 seconds later with an attempt that went high. The Big Red continued to apply pressure throughout the early stages of the period. Senior Andrea Witte ripped a shot that went through the hands of Hoats, but struck the crossbar which allowed the goalie to recover and keep the ball out of the net.
Armstrong had another chance in the 21st minute when she took a through ball from sophomore Meg Wozniak. Unfortunately, the shot from 16 yards out was pushed just left of the goal. A few minutes later, Denison thought they broke the tie when Wozniak worked around a few Bulldog defenders and rifled a shot past Hoats. However, the potential go-ahead goal was waived off by the linesman due to a hand ball. Denison's last opportunity of the half came in the 35th minute when Witte sent in a low cross that was volleyed over the goal by Armstrong.
Despite their slow start to the game, the Bulldogs picked up play in the second half which resulted in a 5-4 edge in shots over the course of 45 minutes. Early in the period, Jamie Barna sent a pass into the box from the right end line that was intercepted by Herold.
With roughly 20 minutes to go in regulation, DeSales had two opportunities to take the lead. Rachel Shive settled a failed clear and ripped a shot that was blocked down by the Big Red. Gabby Lucchese had a chance to go one-on-one with Herold, but a strong defensive play by Drew Wentzel gave the DU keeper the opportunity to come off her line and scoop up the ball.
After going almost 22 minutes without a shot, junior Meg Sutter drew a foul just outside the 18-yard box along the left end line. Witte initiated the set piece with a free kick into the box that found Allison Vilsack on the right side of the goal. Vilsack sent in a cross that was flicked towards the back post by Wozniak. With the several players around the ball, Skelly came up with the shot that put the Big Red in front. Skelly's fifth of the season broke the tie at 83:12. The Bulldogs did manage two shots inside the final three minutes, but neither ended up on goal.
Denison outshot DeSales 15-6, including a 4-1 edge in shots on frame. The Big Red attempted all four corner kicks in the game and were whistled for 10 fouls and three offsides. The Bulldogs were called for six infraction over the course of 90 minutes.
Armstrong paced the Denison attack with four shots, while Wozniak had three attempts and the assist on the game-winning goal. Skelly scored her goal on her lone shot of the match. Sophomore Jenny Herold needed just one save to secure her 10th shutout of the season.
Shive, DeSales leading goal scorer this season, led the team with three attempts, while Caroline Nealon, Isabel McPeak and Kelly Riley combined for the other three shots. Hoats finished the game with three saves.
Denison improves to 16-4 on the season, while the Bulldogs end their season with a 14-6 record.
