JOLIET, Ill. -- A strong second half from the University of St. Francis women's soccer team propelled the Fighting Saints to a 2-1 victory over Judson University on Saturday afternoon. USF took the lead at the start of the period courtesy of a
Jalyssa Villafuerte goal with
Citlali Perez adding the eventual difference maker 28 minutes later. The two scores proved to be both needed in the match as USF improved to 5-4-1 overall, and 1-0-1 in league play.
First Half
The Saints started on the attack early in the first half, putting up the match's first seven shots of the afternoon within the initial 24 minutes of the contest. USF continued to press the remainder of the period, producing a number of threatening drives while earning two more shots before the end of the half, totaling nine attempts for the frame while holding the Eagles to four at the intermission. Judson (5-3-1, 1-1-0 CCAC) was only able to target USF's goal once within its four attempts, however, with USF starting keeper
Giselle Mata shutting the door on the try to keep the score locked at 0-0 at the break.
Second Half
In the second half, the Saints again jumped out to an aggressive start and connected for the first goal of the match just 3:13 into the period to take the 1-0 lead after Villafuerte took advantage of a perfect cross from
Carisma Rosales to knock in the score. St. Francis continued its strong offensive pressure from the first half into the 76th minute with Perez breaking free to fire a header past the JU keeper off a corner kick from
Ariadne Gonzalez to up the Saints' advantage to 2-0. Judson responded by resetting its approach, and accounted for the match's next shot attempt, before it later connected for a header of its own off a corner kick to sneak a score into the USF net with 12 minutes remaining in the contest to lock in the final score in at 2-1.
St. Francis took 23 shots as a team in the win, outshining Judson, which ended the match with 13 attempts. Villafuerte took six shots (five on target) for USF, adding one goal to her new season total of two. Rosales produced seven shots, while Gonzalez added three. Perez's goal was her first of the season. In goal for USF, Mata made seven saves, while allowing the one goal.
Up Next
St. Francis will be back at home on Tuesday evening (Sept. 29) to take on Viterbo University (Wis.). Kickoff for the CCAC contest is slated to begin at 7 pm at Joliet Memorial Stadium.
You can keep up with everything happening around USF Athletics on X @USFSaints.
