MILWAUKEE – The Mount Mary University soccer team tallied their first win of the 2017 season today at the Mount Mary Invite. After losing a close match in their opener, the Blue Angels (1-1) came from behind against Crown College (0-2) late in the second half to win 3-2. The North Central University Rams (2-0) then defeated the Alverno College Inferno (1-1) by a final score of 5-1 in the finale of the Mount Mary Invite.
Plenty of offensive opportunities for both teams came in the first half, despite the 0-0 score after the first 45 minutes. The Blue Angels went at the Storm with 16 first half shots, six of which were on goal. As the defense continued to tear away opportunities, MMU limited Crown to just two team shots in the first half, neither on goal.
The action-packed second half saw all five of the game's goals. Following a deflection deep in the goal box, Allison Klotz (So./Port Washington, Wis.) picked up the loose ball and riffled a left-footed shot into the net giving MMU the 1-0 lead just three minutes into the second frame.
Moments later Crown found an opening and attacked their opposition's zone. Anna Kragt fired a shot that Hannah Rose (So./Jeromesville, Ohio) deflected. Crown's Lottie Ellis shot back immediately off the deflection, but Rose (1-1) knocked the ball away again. Kragt quickly returned to find the rebound and fired in a third shot that got passed the reach of Rose to tie things 1-1.
Seven minutes later Katie Carter knocked in a goal on a deep free kick that followed a Karina Salgado (Jr./Chicago, Ill.) foul. Following the goal, the Storm took the late lead 2-1.
MMU responded minutes later when Kaeli Stellings (So./Beloit, Wis.) found Salgado deep in enemy territory. Salgado worked past the defender and bent a shot passed the reach of the goalie to tie things 2-2.
"[Salgado] really put a ton of work in the last two days and I was happy to see her and [Stellings] play a nice combination that led to a huge goal," said Mount Mary Head Soccer Coach Jon Gulrajani. "This really lifted us and gave us the momentum to get the decisive goal."
With eight minutes left to go in the game, Stellings found Klotz in a seem through the heart of the defense. Klotz continued to speed passed the defenders and drilled a shot over the out-stretched hands of the goalkeeper to give MMU the 3-2 lead and eventually the win.
"In my three seasons here we struggled on the first weekend to get results, we have come a long way," coach Gulrajani added. "We have come a long way we played much better as a team and we found ways to finish chances."
"I am proud of the group and eager to get better, we will put in the work this week and build from this weekend. Really pleased with the start and the work ethic so far."
The Blue Angels will have a week before they head to Iowa Weslyan University. The Blue Angels will trek to Mount Pleasant, Iowa for the early season contest. The kickoff is set for 12:00 pm on Sat. Sept. 9. Follow mtmaryathletics.com for updates and scores.
