COLUMBUS, Ind. --
Ariadne Gonzalez recorded two goals and the University of St. Francis women's soccer team authored its third win of the season with a 5-2 victory over Indiana University Columbus in a non-conference contest on Saturday afternoon at Circle K Fieldhouse at Nexus Park in Columbus, Ind. The junior forward scored the first goal of the match and also converted the team's fourth tally off a penalty kick with 33 minutes remaining in the second half. With the win, St. Francis improves to 3-3-0 on the year.
First Half
St. Francis came out strong in the first half, quickly asserting itself on the scoreboard with a goal by Gonzalez after a pass from teammate
Carisma Rosales allowed the junior to fire her first shot of the day past IUC starting goalkeeper Zoe Bippus in the 19th minute of play. The remaining 26 minutes remained tightly contested with each team's keeper recording multiple saves, resulting in neither team inciting further damage, and allowing the Saints to take a 1-0 score into the break.
Second Half
The second half showcased a strong performance from the St. Francis front line as the Saints laid offensive pressure on the Crimson Pride (2-1-1), registering 17 shots to IUC's six. USF kept the scoring going immediately just 17 seconds into the second frame when
Jimena Diaz found herself in the scoring column after her shot found the back of the Crimson Pride's net to turn the Saints' lead to 2-0. Indiana Columbus barely had time to recoup before Rosales connected on her third shot attempt of the day at the 54:23 mark to put USF up 3-0 with an assist from Gonzalez after a try from
Isabel Diez missed high just 32 seconds prior. Even with a three-score cushion, the Saints did not let up on the gas as two minutes and seven seconds later, St. Francis posted its fourth score of the contest off the foot of Gonzalez with a successful penalty kick. The Crimson Pride retaliated quickly, however, controlling the ball over the next three minutes and finding success on its third attempt at goal in the 59th minute and then later off a penalty kick at the 62:02 mark. Things stayed relatively quiet thereafter until the 87th minute when Diez connected for her second goal of the season after receiving a pass from Rosales ending things at 5-2.
In total, USF registered 22 shot attempts with 12 total on-target, while holding Indiana Columbus to 10 shots for the match.
Giselle Mata recorded her third win of the season and authored four saves for the Saints after logging all 90 minutes in the USF net.
Up Next
The Saints will prepare for Saturday (Sept. 19) when they take on the Wildcats of Indiana Wesleyan University. The non-conference matchup is slated to begin at 2 pm at Joliet Memorial Stadium.
You can keep up with everything happening around USF Athletics on X @USFSaints.
