Drexel Women’s Soccer Draws On Senior Day

Jenna Lindsay
PHILADELPHIA, October 16, 2011 – In the game of soccer there are times when a tie is good and times when a tie is bad.  For the Drexel Women’s Soccer team, their scoreless tie against conference rival Virginia Commonwealth University game them a much-needed point in their race to make the Colonial Athletic Association playoffs.  Gaining 4 points in their last two games this weekend was important for the Dragons.
“I think the tie is good,” said Senior Forward Jenna Lindsay about the result.  “You always want to win, but we came away with 1 point today and finish the weekend with 4 points.  We are always looking for more points.  Right now were sixth.”

Drexel Coach Ray Goon saw the result as deserved for each team.

“I think it was fair,” Goon said.  “Both teams battled hard.  For each team to walk away without anything to show for it would have been a shame.  You want to win and get the 3 points, but each team walked away with 1 point is fair.”

It was Senior Day for the Women’s team on a breezy day at Vidas Field.  Both teams went up and down the field, but could not score.  VCU had the big break as they received a penalty kick with 3:12 to play in regulation.  Meaghan Dullea lined up six yards away for the potential game winner.  However, Drexel Freshman Goal Keeper Eve Badana made the save to keep the game scoreless.

“I tried to read off her body, looked at her feet, her hips, her eyes,” Badana said.  “From there I made my guess.”

Eve Badana

She guessed correctly going to low to her right to make the save.   From that point VCU began a flurry of offense over the last 2 minutes of regulation and into overtime.  VCU had 2 shots in regulation and 2 more in overtime as the Rams had 4 shots as they tried to get the victory.  However, Badana came up big to keep the Dragons in the game.  The Freshman from Markham, Ontario was a settling force on the back line during the flurry, and she weathered the storm by keeping her poise.

“Keeping the team calm, it’s a high pressure situation, but when you panic you make mistakes,” said Badana.  “That’s what I wanted to avoid.”

Ray Goon

“Eve is a settling force for us back there,” said Goon.  “She is very confident, and I think it gives our team a lot of confidence.  We’re very level once she is back there.”

The post was Badana’s friend as VCU Forward Azania hit the post with 6:54 remaining in the second overtime.

Drexel had chances to score.  Early in the second half Drexel Midfielder Sam Greenfield let a shot go that hit the top of the goal post.  The ball went straight down, and was cleared by the VCU defense.  With 19:13 to play in the second half Drexel Senior Forward Jess Lowinger went in on a break-away.  Lowinger came down the middle, but her shot was blocked VCU Goal Keeper Kristin Carden.  On overtime Freshman Midfielder Megan Hammaker bounced a shot off the post.

VCU put 24 shots on goal compared to 12 for Drexel.  Badana made 11 saves, 10 after halftime, while Carden had 4 for VCU.  Badana was named CAA Rookie of the Week for her efforts.

Drexel finishes their season with 3 road games at Towson, George Mason, and Delaware.  The Dragons are 3 – 3 – 2 in conference play, and 5 – 7 – 4 overall.  The team was 5 – 0 – 3 at Vidas Field.  It is the first time in program history that the team ended the season unbeaten at home.

BOXSCORE

SENIOR DAY AT DREXEL

Senior Day is the last home game for program Senior players.  This yeas Drexel had 5 players honored before the game; Rachael Sheridan, Defense, Ashley Klun, Forward, Sara Clair, Defense, Katie Duncan, Defense, and Jenna Lindsay, Forward.  The work ethic of the team will be their legacy to the program according to Coach Ray Goon.

“Ever since they came to the program, this is the culmination of all their hard work,” said Goon.  “We are in the thick of the playoffs, and that has a lot to do with the Seniors.”

The game was the final Vidas Field game in the career of Jenna Lindsay.   It was a very emotional day for the team, and for the native of Thorofare, NJ.

Jenna Lindsay

“I couldn’t believe it, the four years went by so fast,” said Lindsay.  “It was emotional because my whole family was here.  The whole atmosphere was awesome having my friends and family here, playing with my teammates for the last time.:

Lindsay leaves as the all-time leading goal scorer for the Dragons with 24 goals.  This season she has scored 5 goals.  The Senior Forward takes great pride in what she has achieved at the school.

“It is a great accomplishment,” Lindsay said.  “I couldn’t be more proud.  I’m really honored to play for Drexel, and couldn’t be happier.”

The Seniors have three more games, and maybe more.  However, they leave behind a legacy and lessons for their underclass teammates.

“Always work hard, and make the most of your opportunities,” said Lindsay.  “I wouldn’t be where I am today without my teammates working hard every day in practice.”

The Seniors built a foundation and acted as role models.  Now the Junior, Sophomore, Freshman, and incoming players need to learn the lessons, build upon that, and create a greater future legacy for the school, the program, and themselves.

Written By:  Glenn Papazian

 

 

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