Women's socer: New-found offense

Accomplishing high goals is a difficult task, the women's soccer team has been learning this season. Whether the goal is a perfect shot in the upper V or an Ivy championship, the team has fallen short of their expectations.

Resurrecting their early-season winning streak and defeating Ivy rivals Harvard and Princeton have been the team's priorities. Until Wed., Oct. 17, these goals seemed impossible, buried among the many missed opportunities that accompanied their on-field struggles.

Prior to its game against Stonybrook, Yale had managed only one goal and one win in six games. Many top players, including Captain Sara Ruiz, BR '02, were sidelined with injuries. Near the Ivy bottom, the team stared up at healthier, more confident foes.

Determined to overcome their scoring difficulties, the Elis set a new goal: resurrecting the fiery offense that sparked their early- season success. Practices focused on improving finishing and shooting. "Our number o-ne goal right now is to score," Ruiz said.

If Wednesday's 3-2 win at Stonybrook is any indication, the Bulldogs are back on the right track. Faced with a 2-0 Stonybrook lead only 20 minutes into the game, the Elis exploded with three straight goals, two by midfielder Ali Cobbett, BR '03.

Those three goals may be all the team needs to escape its funk. "To be losing like we had was ridiculous. It was just a mental thing holding us back," Ruiz said.

—Tamar Schwartz

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