Yale Athletics

The Yale women’s soccer team played two consecutive Ivy League games this past week, the first game against University of Pennsylvania (5–5–2, 0–2–1 Ivy) and the second against Brown University (7–1–2, 3–0–0 Ivy). 

On Saturday, Sept. 30, the Yale women’s soccer team hit the road to play the UPenn team at Rhodes Field in Philadelphia. The Elis started the game off strong. 

Forward Anita Thorvaldsdottir ’27 secured a goal in the sixth minute off of an assist from Ellie Rappole ’25. The team was then able to hold off the Quaker’s attack for 24 minutes until they gained momentum and scored in the 30th minute. 

“We did a great job of responding to the adversity but need to start the game with more urgency,” UPenn head coach Krissy Turner said to Penn Athletics. 

Yale had eight total shots on goal, giving UPenn a few opportunities to claim the victory.

But the Bulldogs struggled to put the ball in the back of the net for the rest of the game. 

“Our message to our team has and continues to be focusing on our ability to seal games when we have momentum,” Yale head coach Sarah Martinez wrote to the News. “Penn had a stretch of play in the first half that gave us some problems and we went away from our style of play for a bit which resulted in their goal. Once we went back to ourselves in the second half, keeping the ball and being patient, we created enough chances to find a game winner but again just couldn’t convert.” 

A common theme for the Bulldogs this season seems to be an emphasis on the idea of what it means to be a team — playing together, growing together and celebrating together. 

This focus on playing as a team is a hallmark of Yale’s style, and is what allowed them to score very early on in the first half. 

“I think Anita’s goal was a memorable moment for me,” captain Chloe Laureano ’24 wrote to the News. “I think it was extremely representative of our style of play; It was a true team effort in the build up, a wonderful cross from Ellie, and a well-timed finish from Anita.” 

Laureano said she looks forward to other moments like these during that season that demonstrate their teamwork. 

Although it didn’t show on the scoreboard, the Elis displayed exceptional performance and have been doing so throughout the season, Martinez told the News. 

“To be honest we have had a great start overall in our quality of play,” wrote Martinez. “This team is very different than what we’ve seen in the past.”

The Bulldogs hosted Brown on Oct. 4 in a midweek game, which was no small feat considering Brown has been the Ivy League Champion for the past three years. Although they fought hard, the Bulldogs fell to the Bears 4–1. 

The Bulldogs play next this Saturday against Princeton University at the Myslik Field at Roberts Stadium in New Jersey.