Oct. 10, 2008

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PHILADELPHIA - For the second straight game, La Salle Women's Soccer spotted its opponent a two-goal lead, and then mounted a come-back that came up short. This time it was the visiting Fordham Rams who held on for the 2-1 victory in the Atlantic 10 Conference match Friday afternoon at McCarthy Stadium.

 

Despite falling down by two goals, the Explorers were the aggressors early in the game, registering three shots in the games first 2:25, the third was a header by Becky McGuigan, which was saved by Ram goalie Elisabeth Roald.

 

It was McGuigan that came close to giving the Explorers a 1-0 lead a few plays later, when she hit a short cross into the box and as Traci DePasquale battled with a Fordham defender to get a head on it, the defender flicked it towards the Ram goal, and Roald had to make a diving save.

 

Fordham (7-4-1, 4-1-0 A-10) made La Salle goalie Amy Grant work as well, with five shots - three on goal - through the first 23 minutes of action. They broke the scoreless tie in the 25th minute off a corner kick by Alexis Ribadeneyra. She sent the ball towards the far post where Katie Sanchez headed it back towards the near post and Michaela Murphy was there for the tap in.

 

The Rams built their lead to 2-0 just six minutes after the half as Sanchez battled on the right side of the field. Her near-post shot hit the post and rebounded back to her. She settled, moved left, and scored for her fourth of the season.

 

The Explorers would cut their deficit to one at the 68:03 mark as Dana Giordano played a cross from the left side to the far post. Heather Steadman headed the ball past Roald and into the net for her second of the year, but they would not get an equalizer in the game's final 22 minutes.

 

Roald won her third game of the season with the Ram victory, while making four saves. Grant made six saves, but her record drops to 1-1 with the loss.

 

La Salle (5-6-2, 1-3-1 A-10) will play its last non-conference game of the season when they host Penn at 3 PM on Sunday, a game that follows the Men's Soccer game versus Charlotte, which starts at 12 PM.