INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. -- The University of St. Francis women's soccer team suffered their first loss of the season on Thursday night with a 7-0 defeat to NAIA No. 5-ranked Marian University (Ind.). The shutout pushed the Knights' record to 1-0 on the season, while the Fighting Saints fell to 0-1.
First Half
Marian's offense took control from the onset, attacking the St. Francis net seven times in the first 15 minutes of play, resulting in three saves from USF keeper
Giselle Mata. After missing three shots high between the 26th and 30th minutes, the Knights connected for the only goal they would need in the 37th minute followed by an insurance shot two minutes and 21 seconds later to mark the score at 2-0. Marian then put away its third goal of the half in the final seconds off a free kick just above the outstretched arms of Mata from 30 yards out to extend the lead to 3-0. The score would hold at that total entering halftime with the Knights out-shooting the Saints 10-1.
Second Half
Nine minutes into the second half, Marian would notch its fourth goal of the afternoon on its second try at the USF net. Similar to the first half, possession was dominated by Marian throughout the remaining 45 minutes with the Saints attempting five shots compared to the Knights' 12.
Isabel Diez (two),
Sofia Velazquez (one) and
Carisma Rosales (two) recorded USF's five shot attempts. Marian tacked on three more goals between the 54th and 64th minutes before a penalty kick in the 77th minute solidified the final score at 7-0. Mata finished the match with six total saves for St. Francis.
Next Match
The Saints return to action Wednesday afternoon to face University of Saint Francis (Ind.) at 5 pm EST in Fort Wayne, Ind.
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