YORK, PA – Facing yet another day of cold and rainy conditions, the York College women’s soccer team successfully braved the elements en route to capturing a key 3-0 home victory over St. Mary’s College of Maryland Saturday afternoon. The Capital Athletic Conference win boosts the Spartans’ 2009 record to an impressive 12-3-1 including a strong 5-0-1 in the CAC while the visiting Seahawks fall to 5-8-1 and 3-2-1 in league play.

The Green and White would tally all three of their scores in the second frame.  Following halftime, York came out of the locker room and promptly registered the eventual game-winner just 2:55 into the stanza. Junior Steph Mergler (Street, Md./North Harford) ripped a blast from the left side of the field 20 yards from goal. Although initially saved by Seahawk goalkeeper Grace Koplow, the forward’s hearty strike combined with the wet conditions resulted in a rebound opportunity for York’s Kat Torode (Brick, N.J./Brick Township). The senior midfielder wasted little time in knocking in the doorstep attempt as the ball crossed just over the goal line before being cleared away by a St. Mary’s defender. Torode’s seventh goal of 2009 gave the Spartans a lead they would not surrender.

Mergler then tallied one of her own, also her seventh on the year, in the match’s 68th minute. After the Spartans just missed a quality opportunity on a corner, Mergler won the ball from the Seahawks on the ensuing goal kick. The junior then quickly notched an insurance tally for the Green and White knocking a left-footed ripper that skimmed along the soaked turf before tucking just inside the right post.

The Spartans would complete their three-goal outburst in the 89th minute as freshman Caitlin Aversa (Severna Park, Md./Archbishop Spalding) hammered home her first collegiate tally. A mere five seconds before her goal, Aversa ripped a solid strike that rang off the underside of the crossbar. Before a Seahawk defender could clear the ball, Aversa won the ensuing rebound, eventually knocking home the goal in with 1:40 left to play.

York’s defense once again played a strong 90 minutes. The Spartans' central backbone of sweeper Ally Wivell (Emmitsburg, Md./Catoctin) and stopper Allie Jensen (Parkville, Md./Parkville) continually kept their guests away from the Spartan goal allowing few dangerous attempts.

For the match, the Spartans owned a 17-8 lead in shots including a 9-4 advantage in second half. York also garnered a slight 8-7 edge in corners for the 90-minute match.

Spartan goalkeeper Sarah Spanarkel (Toms River, N.J./Toms River North) won her eleventh game of the season between the pipes, posting a trio of saves as she put in a solid performance despite the difficult weather. Koplow takes the loss as she made six stops on the soggy afternoon.

The Green and White return to action on Wednesday, October 21. The Spartans visit Stevenson University for a 4:00 p.m. CAC contest.

BOX SCORE

Steph Mergler tallied a goal and an assist against St. Mary's on Saturday afternoon - photo courtesy of Scott Guise