After a series of easy wins for the women’s soccer team, including two conference victories over Augsburg and St. Mary’s, the Scots fell 2-1 in overtime to the No. 1-ranked University of Chicago Maroons at home last Friday.

Despite the top-notch passing and ball control of Chicago, the Scots’ defensive team, comprised of Alice Hacker ’05, Erin Hoople ’05, and Cara Goff ’06, prevented the Maroons from scoring until 34:20 into the first half. The Scots fought back with some impressive but unsuccessful shots from Katie Pastorius ’06 and a penalty kick by Jessica Bullen ’05 that was blocked by the Chicago keeper.

Macalester continued the offensive drives early in the second half. Hacker, assisted by Annie Borton ’07, finally put the ball in the net on a close shot off a corner kick from Pastorius. “We knew that they came out strong in the first half, and we knew that we had to do the same thing in the second half,” starting forward Sarah Marsh ’05 said.

To the dissatisfaction of the Macalester fans, the Maroons got away with a little rough play in the latter part of the game. “They were stronger. Their size and strength took over in the second half,” Macalester’s head coach John Leaney said.

The game remained tied at the end of regulation play, and went into a 10-minute sudden death overtime. After a high shot by Rachel Larson ’05, the Maroons took the ball down the field for a shot that rolled off the fingertips of Macalester goalie Louisa Bigelow ’06 and into the goal, improving Chicago’s record to an undefeated 5-0.

“We went in not thinking that we were going to win, but that we could win,” Macalester Head Coach John Leaney said. “There was also a penalty that should have been called in the last 20 seconds that could have potentially won us the game.”

Record Tied by Larson

This past weekend the Macalester women beat Grinnell 3-1. Rachel Larson tied the NCAA III record for fastest goal, scoring ten seconds into the match off a Katie Pastorius assist.