The Martlets Face a Tough Competitor

The girls faced another very tough team when they took to the road to visit Taft. The hosts seized control of the game early, forcing the Martlets to scramble and defend. Nonetheless, Eve Cathcart '20 gave the Martlets the early lead when she stepped into a loose ball just outside of the Taft box and drilled a one-time volley into the upper netting in the 15th minute. Unfortunately, it was a short-lived margin, as the Rhinos struck back right off the ensuing kickoff, launching a long shot from the right flank that sailed into the far side of the net. Though shocked by the turn of events, the girls were able to compose themselves enough to maintain the tie score into the intermission. Some adjustments at the half slowed the Rhino attack a bit after the break, and the game largely became a midfield battle. Still, Taft took the lead in the 60th minute when a ball sent into the box was too hot to clear. After a couple of ricochets, the ball deflected in off of a Westminster defender for a dreaded own goal. A spirited push for the equalizer generated several good chances for the Martlets. Cathcart and Cecelia Raymond '20 each got behind the Taft back line, but their breakaways resulted in bad-angle shots. A nearer miss came when some extended pressure led to a shot by Ridgely Green '20 from just inside of the six-yard box that rang off of the post. Alas, in the 71st minute the Rhinos got an insurance goal when a counter-attacking long ball sent into the flank drew center back Maddie Dwyer '18 out, only to see a cross sent in that found the feet of a Taft striker, who finished her chance. Dwyer stood out again today for her stout defending. Cathcart and Natalie Rubin '19 were particularly industrious in midfield, and Caroline McCausland '19 was frequently effective applying pressure and generating attacks up front.