Women finally find net, but so do Colonials

The women's soccer team's scoreless streak ended at 569 minutes on a goal from freshman defenseman Paola Bayona in the Dukes' (1-6-1) 2-2 draw against Robert Morris (6-3-1).

The draw ended a six-game losing streak for the Dukes.

Robert Morris's goalie, Jessica Olin, left the goal box to retrieve the ball, but ended up fumbling with it, leaving an open door for Bayona on a pass from freshman forward Katie Rust to score in the 38th minute.

Bayona was grinning at the end of the game.

"I feel so good because the team is excited for these goals, for these moments," Bayona said.

Unfortunately for the Dukes, Bayona's goal only evened the score because Robert Morris struck first in the second minute. Rachel Sebbens caught a moment when Duquesne goalie, Devon Tabata, was out of the box and headed it in.

Tabata explained what went wrong.

"To be honest, I came out because the girl was unmarked, and I came to punt it, but the ball actually bounced over me. It made a weird bounce, and it went in slow motion to the back of the next," Tabata said.

Tabata, who is 1-3-1 as a starter, made 12 saves on the Colonial's 14 shots on goal.

The second goal for the Dukes came from Gia Marino on a pass from sophomore defenseman Kathleen Wolff in the 75th minute. It was a quick and easy shot from right outside the goal box on the 19-yard-line.

"It was crossed in then shot back out, and I was just on the end of it," Marino said.

Robert Morris's equalizing goal came on a shot in front of the goal in the 80th minute from senior midfielder Lauren Thomas.

The Dukes were just excited to see a goal of theirs on the scoreboard.

"I forgot what a goal looked like for us," Tabata said, laughing.

The whole team screamed and ran toward Bayona after she scored, including Tabata from the goal box.

Coach Tim Zundel was glad the team finally scored but thinks there is more to success.

"We need to score and not let [goals] in. We need to continue to score, and we need to be positive to win," Zundel said.

The Dukes were outshot 26-11 by Robert Morris, but had the strength defensively to keep the score even.

Zundel knows what has to happen throughout the duration of the season for the team to be successful.

"We need to keep working hard. We work hard and just kind of need to loosen up and enjoy the game and play," Zundel said.

Off to their worst start in four years, the Dukes may need to heed those words very closely. The Dukes next play Canisius in Buffalo on Sept. 23, then open conference play at home on Rooney Field against Richmond on Sept. 30.