2012 Emory Women's Soccer Athletes of the Week

Emory University junior Lauren Gorodetsky was named the Most Outstanding Player for Defense at the 2012 NCAA Division III Women’s Soccer Championships. Playing all 180 minutes during the NCAA Semifinal and Championship games, Gorodetsky helped limit two of the nation’s top scoring teams in 11th-ranked Wheaton College (Ill.) and top-ranked Messiah College to a combined two goals and 13 shots on goal. The center back also contributed offensively against Wheaton in the semifinal game, scoring the game-winning goal on a perfectly-placed free kick in the 67th minute of play. Gorodetsky, a two-time all-American and University Athletic Association (UAA) Most Valuable Player, helped the 16th-ranked Eagles to the best season in the program’s history with the National Runner-Up finish and a 15-2-7 overall record.

Emory University sophomore Emily Feldman set a new program record for goals during a single NCAA Tournament, when she scored her fourth goal of the NCAA Championships against 11th-ranked Wheaton College (Ill.) during Friday night’s semifinal contest. Feldman got the Eagles on the board in the 64th minute of play, cutting toward the center of the field before launching a line-drive shot past the Thunder’s keeper for her eighth goal of the season, tying her for the team lead. She is also now tied with current Eagle Kelly Costopoulos for the program lead with four career NCAA Tournament goals. Feldman finished the 2012 season tied for the team lead with 20 points for the second-consecutive season, helping the 16th-ranked Eagle to finish second at the NCAA D-III Championships, and end the year with an overall record of 15-2-7.

Emory University senior Kaele Leonard led the 16th-ranked Eagles to the semifinals of the NCAA Division III Women’s Soccer Championship with a strong performance during the team’s scoreless tie against 17th-ranked Carnegie Mellon University and the ensuing shooting. Playing the second half of Sunday’s quarterfinal match against the Tartans, Leonard made four saves to help send the game into a shootout, where she made a diving saves in both the first and ninth rounds of shots to allow the Eagles to advance. During the second half of the Eagles’ 2-1 win over Loras College, the goalkeeper made one save in 45 minutes, allowing one goal. This season, Leonard is 5-1-6, and leads all Eagles with a 0.41 GAA and a .861 save percentage. Emory, now 14-1-7, advanced to the NCAA Semifinals for the first time in the program’s history.

Emory University sophomore Emily Feldman scored two goals for the 16th-ranked Eagles, helping the squad reach the semifinals of the NCAA Division III Women’s Soccer Championships for the first time in the program’s history. Feldman scored both of her goals during a one-minute, 30 second stretch in the first half of the Eagles’ 2-1 win over 19th-ranked Loras in the round of 16. Her first score came at the 38:27 mark, when she intercepted a clearance attempt by the defense, dribbling into the box on a breakaway and shooting inside the near post for the goal. At the 39:58 mark, she settled down a header inside the six-yard box and put a shot past the keeper, become the first Emory player to record multiple goals in an NCAA Tournament game past the first round. During Sunday’s scoreless tie against 17th-ranked Carnegie Mellon, she led all Eagles with two shots on goal, and helped Emory win a marathon shootout by making a do-or-die penalty kick in the seventh round. Feldman is third on the squad with seven goals, including two game winners, and fourth among all Eagles with 18 points. Emory, now 14-1-7 this season, will take on Wheaton (Ill.) in the NCAA Semifinals on November 30th.

Emory University goalkeeper Erica Stein was a key player in two shutouts to open the NCAA Division III Women’s Soccer Championships, including a career-best six-save performance during the 16th-ranked Eagles 2-0 win over seventh-ranked Centre College on Sunday. During the second-round victory over the Colonels, Stein started the game and made her six saves during a scoreless first half, including back-to-back saves in the 18th minute, the latter of which while on the ground along the goal line. The senior also played a scoreless 45 minutes against DePauw University in the opening round of the tournament. Stein has not allowed a goal in her last 277 minutes and 56 seconds played (spanning the last seven Emory games), and has allowed just one goal in her last 11 games to lower her season goals-against average to 0.51, while raising her save percentage to .844. She is 8-0-1 this season, and has helped the Eagles reach the NCAA Round of 16 for the third-straight season.

Emory University sophomore Charlotte Butker scored the game-winning goal and helped set up the team’s second score during the 16th-ranked Eagles 2-0 win over seventh-ranked Centre College in the second round of the NCAA Division III Championships on Sunday. Butker gave the Eagles a 1-0 lead in the 17th minute, knocking in a shot off a rebound following a corner kick. It would prove to be her second game-winning goal of the season, and her fifth score overall. In the second half, it was a Butker corner kick that was deflected to Kelly Costopoulos, who converted a shot to boost the Eagles’ lead to 2-0. The forward is now tied for the team lead with 20 points this season, and leads all Eagles with 10 assists. Emory advanced to the round of 16 of the NCAA Division III Championships with victory, improving to 13-1-6 for the season.

Emory University senior Kaele Leonard played 65 scoreless minutes in goal during the eighth-ranked Eagles scoreless tie against 19th-ranked Carnegie Mellon University. Leonard made a pair of saves within a minute of each other in the second half, deflecting a shot on goal over the crossbar, and then making a diving save on a header off the resulting corner kick. She now stands at 5-1-5 this season with a 0.41 goals-against average and a .826 save percentage. Leonard and the Eagles finished the 2012 regular season with an 11-1-6 record.

Emory University senior Erica Stein did not allow a goal in 135 minutes last week, helping the Eagles to a pair of shutouts during the week. Stein played the first 45 minutes of the Eagles’ 3-0 win over Covenant College, earning her sixth victory of the season and making one save. On Friday against Brandeis, she helped the Eagles record their 10th shutout of the year with a scoreless first half. During Sunday’s 1-0 double-overtime loss to NYU, Stein made two saves in a scoreless first 45 minutes. Stein has a 0.60 goals-against average and a 6-0-1 record, with an .800 save percentage. Emory is now 11-1-5 this season, including a 3-1-2 mark in UAA games.

Emory University junior co-captain Kelly Costopoulos scored the game-winning goal during the Eagles’ 3-0 game against Covenant College last Monday. Costopoulos scored just 34 seconds into the game, the fourth-fastest goal scored in a game in Emory history. It was the attacking center midfielder’s team-leading seventh goal of the season, and her team-best fourth game-winning goal of the campaign. She now ranks 13th in school history with 19 career goals, and fourth with nine career game-winning goals. Costopoulos and the Eagles are 11-1-5 overall this year.

Emory University sophomore Emily Feldman scored a key early goal during the top-ranked Eagles’ 1-1 double-overtime tie against Lee University, the second-ranked team in the NAIA, on Thursday night. Feldman gave Emory a 1-0 lead at the 8:32 mark, scoring on a shot inside the six-yard box, after receiving a pass from Charlotte Butker. Feldman, who is tied for fourth on the team with four goals, and fifth among all Eagles with 12 points, has now scored a goal in each of Emory’s last three games. The Eagles are now 10-0-4 in 2012, and are one of seven undefeated teams remaining in NCAA Division III women’s soccer.

Emory University senior Ashley Kaiser played all 110 minutes in the backfield during the top-ranked Eagles’ 1-1 double-overtime tie against Lee University, the second-ranked team in the NAIA, on Thursday night. Kaiser’s defensive performance helped the Eagles finish the game with advantages of 22-12 in total shots and 9-6 in shots on goal, against a team that featured seven international players and four Division I transfers. It marked just the fourth time in 13 games this season that a defense has held Lee to one goal in a game (the Lady Flames have not been shutout in 2012). Kaiser has started all 14 games for the Emory backline, helping the squad record a 0.53 goals-against average this season. The Eagles are 10-0-4 this season, and have not been defeated in their last 38 regular season games, the longest active streak in Division III.

Emory University senior Katy Kruse recorded a career-best five point game during the top-ranked Eagles’ 5-0 win over Case Western Reserve University on Friday night. Kruse scored a pair of goals in the first half, deflecting one ball in off a corner kick, and another from a shot inside the six-yard box. In the second half of the contest, the forward assisted on the Eagles’ final goal of the game, deflecting a cross to her teammate, who finished for the score. She led all Emory players with four shots and two shots on goal during the victory. During Sunday’s 2-0 win over the University of Rochester, Kruse started and took two shots. This season, the senior is second on the team with five goals, and fourth on the squad with 13 points. Kruse’s performance helped the Eagles remain undefeated on the season with a 10-0-3 record, and stay in first-place in the University Athletic Association (UAA) with a 3-0-1 league mark.

Emory University junior Lauren Drosick played all 180 minutes of two games for the top-ranked Eagles last weekend, leading the defense to a pair of shutouts. During Friday night’s 5-0 win over Case Western Reserve University, Drosick helped limit the Spartans to six shots, only two of which were on goal, while assisting on the team’s final goal of the game. In Sunday’s 2-0 win over the University of Rochester, splitting time at outside back and center back, she held the Yellowjackets to four shots, including just two on frame. This season, Drosick has started all 13 games for an Emory defense that has allowed the fewest goals (seven) and lowest goals-against average (0.50) in the University Athletic Association (UAA), including league-bests with a 0.71 GAA and two shutouts in UAA contests. The junior, along with the rest of the Eagles' back line, has allowed just 64 shots and 30 shots on goal this season, averages of 4.9 and 2.3 per game. Emory improved to 10-0-3 with the two wins, and remained in a tie for first place in the conference with a 3-0-1 UAA record.

Emory University senior Lee Bachouros was a key component of a top-ranked Eagles defense that shut out Agnes Scott College on Wednesday, and forced a 2-2 double-overtime tie on the road with eighth-ranked Washington University (Mo.) on Sunday. In Wednesday’s 5-0 win over the Scotties, Bachouros helped Emory’s defense not allow a shot during her 31 minutes of play, while taking three shots of her own (one of which was on goal) and assisting on the Eagles’ second goal of the game. The holding midfielder played 68 minutes against Washington on Sunday, allowing just three shots on goal and one goal during her time on the field. In addition, she finished tied for the game lead in both shots (four) and shots on goal (three). Bachouros now has two goals and three assists for seven points this season, and has contributed to Emory’s 0.59 goals-against average, while helping to limit opponents to averages of 4.9 shots and 2.4 shots on goal per game. Bachouros and the Eagles are now 8-0-3, and are tied for first in the University Athletic Association (UAA) with a 1-0-1 conference record.

Emory University junior Veronica Romero scored both of the top-ranked Eagles’ goals during a 2-2 double-overtime tie at eighth-ranked Washington University (Mo.) on Sunday afternoon. Romero scored her second of the two goals with just 48 seconds left in regulation, forcing overtime in the eventual draw. Earlier in the game, the forward was able to score on a one-timer, receiving a free kick in the box from Lauren Gorodetsky and sending a shot into the back of the net. She finished the game leading all players in both shots (four) and shots on goal (three). Romero has scored a team-high five goals this season, and is second among all Eagles with 13 points. She is also currently tied for the University Athletic Association (UAA) lead with three goals in conference play, all of which have either been game-tying or go-ahead scores. Romero and the Eagles are one of just nine undefeated teams left in Division III with an 8-0-3 record, and stand in a tie for first in the UAA with a 1-0-1 conference record.

Emory University senior Kaele Leonard earned the win in goal for the top-ranked Eagles with a scoreless second half against the University of Chicago during the team’s 2-1 victory. Entering the game at the start of the second half with the score tied at a goal apiece, Leonard made two saves and faced four total shots to keep the Maroons off the board during the frame and hold on for her fourth win of the season. Now 4-0-2 on the season, the goalkeeper has allowed just one goal through 442 minutes for a 0.20 goals-against average, and has moved into a tie for fifth-place in school history with 22 career victories. Leonard and the Eagles moved into first place in the University Athletic Association (UAA) with a 1-0-0 conference record, and improved to 7-0-2 overall this season.

Emory University junior Veronica Romero scored the game-winning goal during the top-ranked Eagles’ 2-1 win over the University of Chicago in the opening game of the University Athletic Association (UAA) season on Saturday. Romero broke a 1-1 tie in the second half with a goal in the 70th minute, her third score of the season, and her first game-winning goal of the campaign. She tied for the team lead with two shots on goal in the game, coming on three total shots. Romero has nine points this season, the fourth-most among Emory players, and ranks second on the team in both goals (three) and assists (three). Romero’s performance has helped the Eagles extend their regular season undefeated streak to 33 games, as Emory improved to 7-0-2 for the season.

Emory University junior Lauren Gorodetsky keyed an Emory defense that did not allow a shot on goal during a pair of shutout wins last week, during which she played all 180 minutes. On Friday night against Birmingham-Southern College, Gorodetsky and the Emory backline limited the Panthers to just two shots, neither of which were on goal, en route to a 6-0 win. The center back followed that performance by holding Berry College without a shot during a 4-0 win on Sunday. Overall in the two games, the Eagles’ defense allowed the team to outshoot its two opponents 64-2, including a 28-0 edge in shots on goal. Gorodetsky and the Emory defense has recorded an 0.46 goals-against average and five shutouts this season, and through eight games has held opposing teams to 35 shots, including 19 on goal. Emory, ranked second in Division III, improved to 6-0-2 on the season with the two victories last weekend.

Emory University sophomore Charlotte Butker led the second-ranked Eagles’ offense over two games last weekend, scoring three goals and assisting on two others. During the Eagles’ 6-0 win over Birmingham-Southern College on Friday, Butker keyed the Eagles offense with two goals and two assists, including the game-winning goal in the 12th minute. The two goals and six points were both career highs for the sophomore. The forward followed that performance with a goal during Emory’s 4-0 win over Berry College on Sunday. Butker now leads all Eagles with five assists and 11 points this season, and is tied for second on the team with three goals. In addition, she ranks second among all University Athletic Association (UAA) players in assists this year. Butker and the Eagles improved to 6-0-2 on the season, and ran their regular season undefeated streak to 32 games.

Emory University junior Veronica Romero scored two goals and assisted on three others during two games last weekend. During the second-ranked Eagles 9-0 win over Sewanee in the team’s home opener on Saturday, Romero came off the bench to assist on three first half goals, and scored one of her own in the 81st minute. It marked the first three-assist game by an Eagle since former player Joyce Lam accomplished the feat on September 16, 2007, also against the University of the South. During the Emory’s 1-1 double-overtime tie against Roanoke, Romero scored the game-tying goal in the 61st minute, and took four shots, all on goal. The junior forward is tied for the team lead with three assists this season, and is second on the team with two goals and seven points. Romero and the Eagles have opened the season with a 4-0-2 record.

Emory University sophomore Kaelyn Lucas came off the bench in both of the Eagles games last weekend, holding opponents scoreless on just one shot during her time on the field. Lucas played 84 minutes and 21 seconds of the Eagles’ 9-0 win over the University of the South, limiting the Tigers to just one shot on goal while she was on the field. During the outside back’s 77 minutes and 42 seconds played against Roanoke, she helped hold the Maroons without a shot on goal during her time on the pitch. This season, Lucas has contributed to the Eagles’ 0.60 team goals against average, coming off the bench in all six games. The Eagles, ranked second in Division III, have opened the season with a 4-0-2 record.

Emory University junior Greta Jochmann helped the Eagles to a 1-0-1 record during two games at the Meredith College National Invitational Classic last weekend. Jochmann played over 49 minutes during the Eagles’ 1-0 win over Meredith College on Sunday, helping the squad limit the Avenging Angels to just four shots during the game, and record its second shutout of the season. On Friday, the defensive center midfielder played close to 87 minutes against third-ranked Johns Hopkins University, holding the Blue Jays without a shot in the final 48 minutes and guiding the team to a 2-2 tie. She has started all four games for the Eagles this season, helping lead a defense that has recorded a 0.67 goals-against average and outshot opposing teams 66-28, including a 32-15 edge in shots on goal. Jochmann and the Eagles improved to 3-0-1 in 2012, and extended their regular-season undefeated streak to 28 games.

Emory University junior co-captain Kelly Costopoulos was named to the all-tournament team at the Meredith College National Invitational Classic, after scoring two key goals in as many games last weekend. In the Eagles’ opening game of the tournament, a 2-2 tie against third-ranked Johns Hopkins University, Costopoulos scored the game-tying goal in the 81st minute of play. On Sunday, the attacking center midfielder scored the game-winning goal in a 1-0 win over Meredith College. She leads all Emory players this season with two goals and four points. For her career, she has scored 13 goals, including six game-winning goals, the 14th-best mark in program history. Costopoulos and the second-ranked Eagles have not been defeated in 28-consecutive regular season games, and have opened the 2012 campaign with a 3-0-1 record.

Emory University junior and two-time all-American defender Lauren Gorodetsky led an Eagles defense that limited opponents to just 12 shots, and four shots on goal, during the season-opening weekend. During a 2-1 overtime win over top-ranked Messiah College, the sixth-ranked offense in Division III in 2011, Gorodetsky and the Emory backline held the Falcons to one goal on nine shots, only three of which were on goal.

Emory University sophomore Emily Feldman contributed to all three of the Eagles’ goals during a pair of opening-weekend overtime wins. During the team’s season-opening 2-1 win over top-ranked Messiah College (the second-ranked defense in Division III last season), Feldman assisted on the first goal of the game, and set up the game-winning penalty kick in overtime by drawing a foul inside the box on a breakaway.