Women’s Soccer Draws with Sewanee, 0-0, to Open 2024 Campaign

WESTFIELD, Mass. – Westfield State junior goalkeeper Julia Robak (Chicopee, Mass.) posted an eight-save shutout to preserve a scoreless draw against Sewanee: University of the South in the season opener as part of the Maryville College Women's Fall Classic from Maryville, Tenn. on Friday night.

The game was delayed for several hours due to inclement weather before both teams were able to take the field, resulting in a scoreless affair from two NCAA Tournament teams from a season ago. Sewanee recorded a 14-2-4 record in 2023, advancing to the second round of the NCAA Tournament where they would fall to second-ranked Washington University, who went on to the National Championship match.

The Tigers (0-0-1) had an immediate scoring opportunity just two minutes into the match after Samantha Ferry (Charlotte, N.C.) launched a 25-yard strike towards the net, forcing Robak to aggressively come out of net to secure the save.

Robak thwarted another dangerous scoring chance by the Tigers 12 minutes into the contest. After Emily Ottomaniello (Agawam, Mass.) blocked the initial shot attempt, the ball wound up back in possession of Sewanee where a through pass set up Brianna Fee (Lee's Summit, Mo.) with a one-on-one opportunity against Robak, resulting in a sliding save. The rebound deflected to Fee who missed a return shot wide of the net, ending the threat.

In the second half, Robak stopped five additional shots on net with Westfield generating a few scoring opportunities. In the 62^nd minute, Delaney Parker (Orange, Mass.) found space and possessed the ball in the middle of the field, ending in a left-footed shot from the corner of the box that was stopped by Sewanee keeper Leah Atkins (Marietta, Ga.).

With under two minutes remaining in the game, Kiana Muratsuka (Mililani, Hawaii) maneuvered past a defender from just outside the left side of the box where she fired a shot on goal that was corralled by Atkins.

Sewanee had one final chance in the closing seconds of the match, denying Fee for a third time after her right-footed shot was blocked aside by Robak, falling on the ball to prevent a rebound attempt to seal the draw.

Sewanee outshot the Owls 20-6 on the night, but both teams had nearly similar chances on corner kicks with the Owls holding a 5-4 edge. Parker and Muratsuka both tallied two shots while Muratsuka was credited with the lone shot on goal for the Owls.

Westfield State (0-0-1) will remain in Tennessee for their next match as the Owls take on the host team, Maryville, on Saturday at 7:30 P.M. Sewanee will face Bridgewater College at 5:00 P.M. as both teams compete in day two of the Maryville College Women's Fall Classic.