The Journal

Issue date: 9/28/06 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Martin Ribaudo Webster's Michelle Sweeney sets up a shot against St. Thomas College Sept 24 at home.

Media Credit: Martin Ribaudo Gorlok Kelsey McClure is leaps and bounds above St. Thomas competiton during a Sept. 24 home game.

The Webster women's soccer team completed another successful week despite a 1-0 loss to St. Thomas University (Minn.) Sept. 24. The Gorloks tacked on two St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference wins by defeating Fontbonne University 2-0, Sept. 20, and Greenville College 3-0, Sept. 23.

"Overall we had a very good week," said Head Coach Luigi Scire. "Injuries really hurt us in the game against St. Thomas."

In the Fontbonne game, two first half goals by freshman Kelsey McClure and junior Katie Meeks, gave the Gorloks their first conference win of the season.

The Gorloks looked to improve their conference record to a perfect 2-0 Sept. 23 and received help once again from McClure when she drove home her team-leading 11th goal in just 10 games. Senior Shaina Neiderschulte and sophomore Dana Vahey pitched in with goals of their own, and the Gorloks shut out Greenville in the second half. The win tied them with Principia for tops in the SLIAC.

"To beat Fontbonne the way that we did was big, just from the standpoint that they gave Principia a tough time earlier in the season and Principia is heavily favored in our conference," Scire said.

The wins against Fontbonne and Greenville did not come without a price, however, as the Gorloks went into their game against St. Thomas without a number of key offensive midfielders. A number of Gorloks were not available for the game against the Tomcats. Sophomore Kelly Strecker had a concussion; junior Katie Mannion had a sprained MCL; and junior Katie Meeks had a strained shin. Despite out shooting Saint Thomas 14-8, the Gorloks gave up a heartbreaker when St. Thomas' Sarah Balgord scored with just over five minutes left in regulation.

"I think we've had a lot of good opportunities we just need to finish better," Vahey said.

The Gorloks had a total of 57 shots on goal for the week but managed just five goals. The defense, however, played exceptionally well giving up just one goal in its last three games.

"I thought the defense was strong," said senior defender Jennifer McSheehy. "Against St. Thomas, one minor mistake was the difference in the game."

The Gorloks will travel to Westminster Sept. 27 to take on the Blue Jays. The newest member of the SLIAC, Lincoln Christian University, comes to Soccer Park Sept. 30. Last season, the Gorloks defeated Lincoln Christian by a score of 18-0. The Gorloks are home again Oct. 1 when they will take on Emory University.

"Right now we have roughly 10 girls with injuries," Scire said. "But as long as we can get healthy and stay healthy we will continue to play well."

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