Franciscan 3, Washington & Jefferson 1

Franciscan Starters 
Tania Davidson, Mary Wieszczek, Teaghan Elmore, Anni Winogradoff, Juliana Rubino, Theresa Ryan, Gabriella De La Torre, Angela Postage, Abigail Parker, Bella Rubino,  & Goalkeeper - Bri DeChristopher   

Washington & Jefferson Starters
Actis, Calacan, Behling, Hoover, Schneider, Toscano, Olsen, Brown, Fleissner, & Goalkeeper - Lloyd

How It Happened 
     Sometimes, things aren't so easy as black and white. But for Saturday's women's soccer game, white was the clear victor. On a windy afternoon, the Barons donned their all-white jerseys against Washington and Jefferson's black and red. Before this game, the Washington and Jefferson Presidents have been an impenetrable wall. The Barons have not won a single game against them all time, posing a 0-12-2 record. Still, they rose to the challenge, hoping to break their haunted history.    
    The game started with the Barons controlling the field, maintaining possession for the majority of the first half. Despite their disciplined play, the President's defense kept the Barons at bay. Seven minutes in, star forward Tania Davidson fired two quick shots to no avail. The Barons pressed on, with more shots coming from Anni Winogradoff and Bella Rubino. The score remained a frustrating 0-0. Twenty nine minutes in, the President's offense inched past the defense and scored a surprise goal, leading 1-0. The Baron's offense stagnated, and the Presidents started to gain control. It looked like the Barons would not be able to overcome their undefeated opponent
    The second half, however, was a different story. The Barons stood strong. Today was the day they would break the odds. Forward Juliana Rubino, who was recently named PAC offensive player of the week, scored with a rainbow of a kick past the goalie. Sixty minutes in, the score was tied 1-1. The Presidents shifted gear and put more pressure on the defense. Goalie Bri DeChristopher, who started the last game in place of Rebekka Dill, came in clutch with a save against the Presidents. In response, the Barons took their offense to a whole new level. Seventy seven minutes in, Tania Davidson issued a barrage of shot attempts, ending with a goal. Barons lead 2-1. Ten minutes later, Davidson continued her hot streak and claimed another goal, this one assisted by Juliana Rubino.
    The game ended with the Barons winning 3-1. The team was elated. They finally defeated a once unbeatable opponent. It took a combined team effort. Defensive stalwart Angela Postage kept the President's possessions to a minimum, while midfielders Bella Rubino and Gabrielle De La Torre controlled the field with their pinpoint passing. The Barons remain white-hot with a 5-0-1 record, still undefeated in their conference. Next, they face Chatham University on Wednesday, October 12 at home.

Inside the Numbers  
-With 54 career points, Tania Davidson passes Julia Coccoza to have the third most in program history.
-The Barons have now won five conference games for the first time since 2017 when they went 6-3 in AMCC play.
-Tania Davidson's 2 goals brings her season total to 15. Tania still sits atop the PAC in all offensive categories
-Juliana Rubino's goal is her 11th of the season, and her assist is her 3rd
-The Barons out shot the Presidents 24 to 4

Who's Next? 
Franciscan will remain home to host the Chatham Cougars on Wednesday at Trinity Health System Field. The Cougars are the reigning PAC Champions, and they are once again in playoff position with a winning record coming into this one. The Barons are 4-5 all-time against the Cougars with a pair of losses in their last two meetings. Last season the Barons scored first, but then a late Cougar goal sent us to overtime. The Cougars would get the game winner halfway through the first overtime. 

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