Emory University junior Veronica Romero scored her third goal of the season in the 70th minute of play on Saturday to lift the top-ranked Eagles to a 2-1 win over the University of Chicago in the opening game of the 2012 University Athletic Association (UAA) season.
With the win, Emory, the reigning UAA Champions, improved to 7-0-2 on the season, and to 1-0-0 in conference play. The Eagles also extended their regular season undefeated streak to 33 games (29-0-4), and their home undefeated streak to 20 contests. Chicago, the last team to claim a regular season win over the Eagles (on October 9, 2010), dropped to 7-3-0 overall and 0-1-0 in UAA action with the loss.
The first half feature a pair of early scores, with Chicago jumping out to an early lead behind a Bridgette Kragie's sixth goal of the season in the fifth minute of play. Kragie received a pass just outside the box from Meghan Derken, and launched a shot past Emory keeper Erica Stein, and into the upper corner of the net for the goal.
However, it would not take long for the Eagles to answer back, as Karina Rodriguez was able to even the score in the ninth minute of action. The play was set up by sophomore Charlotte Butker, who was able to keep a ball in play along the far sideline, streaking down the field on the attack to set up a breakaway. Butker sent a pass across the middle of the field and into the box to junior Kelly Costopoulos, who made a one-touch pass to Rodriguez on the near side of the field, and her shot went past the Chicago keeper, Jacinda Reid, for the equalizer. It was the fourth goal of the season for Rodriguez, who is now tied with Costopoulos for the team lead.
Emory's defense would hold the Maroons without a shot during the remainder of the first half, and despite a number of scoring opportunities for the Eagles to close out the frame, Emory and Chicago ended the first half tied at 1-1.
The game remained competitive in the second half, with the Eagles finally breaking through to take the lead on Romero's goal at the 69:42 mark. Outside back Kaelyn Lucas began the scoring opportunity by advancing the ball up the near sideline, before finding Butker over the middle with a pass. Butker would again prove the be the catalyst for the Eagles' offense, leading Romero into the box with a pass to set up a one-on-one with the keeper, and the junior would finish for the eventual game-winning score.
It was the third goal of the season for Romero, and her first game-winning goal of the year. For Butker, the two assists in the game give her a team-high seven for the year, and the sophomore leads all Eagles with 13 points.
Emory's defense would hold the lead the rest of the way, allowing just four more shots to the Maroons, only two of which were on goal. Emory's second-half goalkeeper Kaele Leonard made both saves on the shots on goal, earning the victory to improve to 4-0-2 on the season, while lowering her goals-against average to 0.20.
The Eagles will wrap-up their season-long six game home stand on Wednesday, October 3rd at 7:00 PM with a non-conference matchup against Agnes Scott College.
Emory Notes
Chicago's shot on goal against Emory in the first half ended a streak of 238 minutes and 30 seconds without a shot on goal allowed… The Eagles outshot Chicago 25-5 in the game, including a 10-3 edge in shots on goal… Emory also held a 9-2 edge in corner kicks… Emory is now 11-0-2 in its last 13 UAA games… Butker has scored three goals and assisted on four other over the last three Emory games.
