DUBUQUE, Iowa (Duhawks.com) - The Loras women's soccer team kicked off its 2016 campaign in exciting fashion, defeating Augsburg 1–0. The Duhawks lone score of the night came from junior
Mackenzie Anderson in the 36th minute after she jumped on an Auggie turnover and blasted a left-footed shot, beating the keeper near post. Senior
Maria Siebels turned away all six shots on goal she faced to earn her first shutout of the season.
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
FIRST HALF
- The Duhawks came out in a 4–4–2, with junior Maura Walsh and freshman Emily Robinson up top to lead the Loras attack. Both were active early in the game and created scoring opportunities early.
- In the third minute, Robinson nearly put the Duhawks ahead after a looping ball fell inside the Augsburg penalty area. Walsh was first to the ball but after being stifled by her defender, the loose ball fell to Robinson at the top of the six. With a quick strike with her right foot, Robinson delivered a shot on goal, but Marissa Guillou was up to the task and turned away the goal-scoring opportunity.
- Minutes later, Augsburg's Ciara Gregory registered the first shot on target for the Auggies after chasing down a through ball at the top of the 18. Gregory cut inside and directed her shot on target. Senior goalkeeper Maria Siebels saw the shot the whole way and corralled it on the turf to keep the scores level at zero.
- In the 36th minute, the Auggies attempted to clear a loose ball inside their penalty area, but inadvertently delivered right to the feet of Mackenzie Anderson, who was anxiously waiting outside the 18. The Waukee, Iowa native quickly stepped to the loose ball and delivered a left-footed shot to the near post and past a diving Guillou, giving the Duhawks the 1–0 lead.
SECOND HALF
- Augsburg came out looking right away for the equalizer and crafted multiple changes inside the opening seven minutes of the second half. Marta Anderson was the recipient of a string of passes, leaving her inside the 18 where she worked around the defender and delivered a laser on net, but once again, Siebels was there to make the stop.
- Throughout the second half, the Duhawks had multiple chances to add to their lead, but the best chance came off of the foot of junior Sydney Wright who made a run from her left-back role down the near side and delivered a near-perfect cross in front of goal. Senior Tori Ochs attempted to hit it first time on her left foot, but sent the shot wide left.
- The Auggies' best scoring chance came when Nora Edelen sent the ball over the top towards Marta Anderson. The midfielder received the through ball from Edelen and raced up the far sideline where she drew Siebels off her line at the corner of the 18 near the end line. Before Siebels could arrive, Anderson floated her shot towards the far post where it struck iron and bounced back into play. Augsburg's Ashley St. Aubin had a chance to put home the rebound with Siebels retreating back to her line, but a poor touch resulted in a stifled scoring opportunity for the Auggies.
- In the 88th minute, the Auggies earned a free kick near end line and just outside of the box. On the set piece, Augsburg lofted the ball right onto the goal line where a pack of players came together in the air. Siebels got her hand to it, but was knocked off the ball, drawing a foul from the center official.
HIGHLIGHTS
FRIEDMAN GROUP PLAYER OF THE GAME
Maria Siebels | In her first start since Oct. 24 of last season, Siebels held the Augsburg attack in its place, registering six saves for her second career shutout. Her six saves was the most she has had in a contest since Sept. 19 of 2015 in a 2–2 draw against DePauw.
UP NEXT
Loras continues its homestand into next week when Wheaton travels to the Rock Bowl on Tuesday, Sept. 4. The Thunder were receiving votes in the preseason NSCAA poll. Kickoff is scheduled for 4 p.m.
