Soccer Hits Road Again

By: Jimmy Merritt

Posted: 9/29/06

After being knocked out of the top 25 for the first time all season, the women's soccer team will look to improve a poor road record with two games this weekend as they will face off against Big East opponents Villanova and Georgetown Friday and Sunday, respectively.

With a road record of 2-5 this season, and coming off a dominating 3-0 win over South Florida at home, the Huskies (5-5-1, 2-1-0 Big East) will play unbeaten Villanova who is coming off a 1-0, double-overtime win against Seton Hall last Friday.

Their only draw of the season came at Rutgers, when a 1-1 tie was almost broken in the 88th minute, but the shot from 40 yards out hit the crossbar and sailed over the net.

The Wildcats (10-0-1, 2-0-1 Big East) have not faced the Huskies since a 3-0 loss at home in October 2004.

Georgetown, however, is near the opposite end of the spectrum. The Hoyas (3-5-3, 0-3 Big East) are coming off four straight losses including 2-0 losses to both Villanova and Rutgers. Despite their poor record, head coach Len Tsantiris feels his team still must play well on the road.

"I know their not doing well but they are a good team," Tsantiris said. We've got to show up and play."

The two teams last met in October 2004 when the Huskies scored three goals in the second half to beat the Hoyas, 3-1, at home.

The team needs to get good results this weekend heading into the core of the Big East season, Tsantris said.

"We're playing them all there, so it will be challenge," Tsantiris said.

The challenge will seem even greater for the Huskies after starting defender Lauren Ebert went down with a severe ankle sprain during a very physical game against South Florida Sunday.

Tsantiris said that she will most likely miss two weeks, and could be sidelined the next four home games, including an Oct. 13 match-up with No. 1-ranked Notre Dame.

"We've got a couple of options," Tsantiris said. "We're going to see what works best."

Brittany Taylor, Courtney Sands and Sarah MacIsaac could be a few of Ebert's possible replacements, Tsantris added.

Sands and MacIsaac have combined for only six starts this season, while Taylor's starts have mostly came at the forward position.

Ebert had started all 11 games this season with one assist and two shots on goal.

The Huskies will continue their Big East schedule next weekend when they will host St. John's Friday, Oct. 6, and Syracuse Sunday, Oct. 8.