Franciscan University Barons Athletics

Franciscan 2, W&J 3

Starting XI
MaryGrace Geurkink, Celia Crosby, Michelle Lopez, Mary Byrnes, Caroline Cross, Elise Winogradoff, Theresa English, Norah Falvey, Isabella Corley, Catherine DeWolf, & Goalkeeper - Callie Giguere

How It Happened 
    The Barons hosted the Washington & Jefferson Presidents today for their second to last home game of the year. They took an early lead, but allowed three late goals to lose 2-3. 
    The game was at deadlock going into the half with a score of 0-0, even shot differential, and no clear team dominating possession. Seconds after resuming play in the second half, the Barons opened it up with a goal by English. Lopez took a shot that was blocked. The Presidents took possession, but English was able to dispossess the defender. She took a couple touches and then fired one to the right side of the net and put the Barons up 1-0. Just two minutes later, the Presidents committed a foul in the box triggering a PK. Winogradoff took the kick and beat the goalkeeper. However, as the ball was mid-flight, the official blew his whistle to stop play because the opposing coach was challenging the call. He spent a few minutes reviewing the video replay footage before deciding the call stands. Now Winogradoff had to go back to the mark to try and beat the goalkeeper a second time. This time the goalkeeper read Winogradoff correctly and dove the right direction, but it still wasn't enough. Winogradoff beat the goalkeeper a second time. This time it counted and the Barons were up 2-0. 
    The feeling on the field was sky-high. After a closely-contested first half, the quick two goals gave the sense that this was going to be the start of a second shutout streak. The Presidents were not ready to give in. They pressed the Barons and began to find openings over and over. The Barons hung on, but once the Presidents found success the momentum was too much to stop. The Presidents' Madison Rose scored the first goal in the 64'. She then went on to score two more in the 76' and 84'. The three goal swing only took 12 minutes, and the typical Baron shutout win turned into a disappointing 2-3 loss. 
    The Barons still sit in second place in the PAC. However, they now share that space with St. Vincent. Thankfully they have the tiebreaker and still have control of the potential quarterfinal bye, but it will make the two games next week critical for them to hang on to their seeding.

In Case You Missed It 
If you were unable to join us tonight, you can find the post-game interview with Coach Miller on our Instagram and an archive of the stream on the pacdigitalnetwork.com/franciscanu or our YouTube channel. 

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