CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Capital University women's soccer team took to the field in the first round of the 2022 NCAA Women's Soccer Tournament on Saturday, playing as the "visiting" team to the Ithaca College Bombers on the campus of hosting Case Western Reserve University. The elements were evident as the team battled through the first real cold of the coming winter and a tough combination of rain and snow. In the end, the Comets could not find an equalizing response to an Ithaca goal that came late in the first half. When the final buzzer rang, the Comets still found themselves down 0-1. 

Capital's season ends with a 12-4-3 record. Ithaca advances to 13-3-4 and will play No. 4 Case Western Reserve in the second round. 


HOW IT HAPPENED
It was truly a titanic struggle in the first half with neither team able to get a good grip of the possession and the ball constantly flying back and forth between the two sides. Once the Comets got settled into their surroundings, the momentum seemed to start to go their way. However, after a close call in the Capital box with just a few minutes left in the first half, the tides suddenly turned and the Bombers got away a few quick chances, the last of which left the ball in the back of the net. The goal came as the result of a deep shot – which was more of a misplaced cross than a shot – from the left side of the field that left the ball floating high in the air and eventually over the keeper's head and into the upper right corner of the goal. With very little time left in the period, the Comets would have to try to equalize in the second half. 

The second half was even more of a struggle with the elements. During the break, the rain that began pouring in the later stages of the first 45 got heavier and even turned into snow at one point. With the daylight waning, the temperature dropping, and the precipitation pouring more and more, it became a fight to push the ball forward. The Comets were up to the challenge, but Ithaca was also committed to keeping the lead. Despite a constant effort to pull even, Capital would come up short on the offensive end and the game – and the season – came to a close with the ref's final whistle, 1-0. 


THE NUMBERS
The Comets struggled to string together passes and get shots off in the tough conditions. The fierce cold combined with an onslaught of rain and snow made it difficult to control the ball and work it up the field towards the goal. As a result, shots were at a premium for both teams. In total, Capital sent seven balls towards the goal, with two reaching their mark. 
Madeline Woodruff and Avery Hart led the team on the offensive end, taking two shots each. Hart was able to find her mark one time.

Taylor Marcum, Francesca Longano, and Grace Estes made up the remainder of the Capital chances. Longano was responsible for the team's other shot on goal. 

On the other end, the Purple and White put up with 11 shots, three of which were on target. Lauren White spent the full 90 on the back line, making two saves. 


 A LOOK BACK ON THE SEASON
Capital had their best season in recent history, storming out to a 4-2-1 non-conference record with wins over Mount Saint Joseph (4-1), Dickinson (1-0), Ohio Wesleyan (1-0), and Hope (1-0). This was a massive improvement over the one-win non-conference season last year. When it came to the OAC schedule, the Comets could not be stopped, remaining undefeated throughout with a 7-0-2 record and staking their claim to a share of the OAC Regular Season Championship. The two ties came against tough opponents in Baldwin Wallace fellow regular season champs Ohio Northern. When the regular season was all said and done, the Comets boasted the top spot in the OAC Tournament. 

In the tournament, Capital kept their good form rolling against John Carroll, defeating the Blue Streaks by a score of 3-0 and moving on to face all-too-familiar ONU in the championship at Bernlohr Stadium. Unfortunately, the Comets would fall in the final, but their strength of schedule combined with an impressive record resulted in a well-deserved at-large bid to the NCAA tournament, Capital's first since 2015. Despite the loss in the round of 64, It was still quite the season to be proud of for the Comets.

When it came to end-of-season awards, Capital had themselves a haul. The Purple and White boasted eight players named to All-OAC teams. Avery Hart, Sophia Leonetti, and Lexi Snider made up the first team selections. Madeline Woodruff, Abby English, Lauren White, and Haley Moore filled up the second team. And Nicole Ogden rounded out the roster's awards on the third team. In addition to the All-OAC teams, Capital also collected awards for Hart as Forward of the Year, Snider as Co-Defender of the Year, and Coach Matt Ogden as Coach of the Year. 

The Comets will look to build upon the great year they had this year when the 2023 season comes around.