MOUNT PROSPECT, Iowa – The Mount Mary University soccer team lost today to host Iowa Wesleyan University (1-2) by a final score of 3-2. The Blue Angels now sit at 1-2 following their first road loss of the 2017 season. Following the one-score loss, MMU will quickly turn around and prepare for their trip to Lakeland University Wed. Sept. 9.
"Disappointing result today," said Mount Mary Head Soccer Coach Jon Gulrajani. "I thought our effort was great, difficult to play shorthanded, but we stuck in there and fought all game."
Both teams traded shots in the first 45 minutes of play. MMU fired 10 team shots while the Tigers smacked eight of their own. Each team applied the pressure with four of those shots on goal.
Both Hannah Rose (So./Jeromesville, Ohio) and Destiny Colon were perfect on their save opportunities in the first 45 minutes as they each swated away for shots from the opposition.
Although both teams had only five team shots in the final frame, the second half saw five goals combined. Seven minutes into the second half, the Tigers pushed across their first goal of the game as Grace Alongi scored her first of three goals on the day to give IWU the lead.
Eight minutes later, Alongi found a seam and riffled her second goal of the game into the net.
Moments later, Karina Salgado (Jr./Chicago, Ill.) found Allison Klotz (So./Port Washington, Wis.) with enough space to knock in the Blue Angels first goal of the game to make things 2-1.
Alongi separated things just three minutes later with her hat-trick goal making the score 3-1 with 26 minutes remaining on the clock.
MMU found opportunities in the remaining time as Klotz found her second goal of the game with 10 minutes left to go. With a 3-2 score, the Blue Angels continued to attack, but could not find the tying goal in time.
"We just lacked discipline today containing the dribble, we didn't win tackles and that gave them chances on our goal." Coach Gulrajani added, "We weren't solid with decision making and we over dribbled at times and missed easy passes. We have to learn as a group and improve. Sometimes it really hits home in loss, we need to regroup and get back to playing our style."
Rose (1-2) finished with five saves and three goals against. Colon (1-2) received the win saving six goals in eight shots on goal.
Following today's loss to the Tigers, the Blue Angels will get ready for their contest against the Muskies from Lakeland University (2-3). For the first time this season, the Muskies will have live stats and streaming for those who cannot make the trip. Follow mtmaryathletics.com for updates, scores and links for all your favorite Blue Angels.
