Jacksonville, Ill. – Today at Freesen Field, the Mount Mary University soccer team defeated host MacMurray College by a final score of 2-0. The Blue Angels (3-4-1) were able to score a goal in each half, while denying each offensive opportunity from the Highlanders (1-6) in MMU's second shutout of the season.
In the early portion of the first half, the Highlanders continued to attack MMU's territory. Getting off five of the first six shots of the game, MacMurray tested sophomore goal keeper Hannah Rose (Jeromesville, Ohio) as often as possible.
Rose was up for the challenge and deterred four of those first half shots, while her defense helped clear the rest.
MMU received their go-ahead goal from Allison Klotz (So./Port Washington, Wis.) with nine minutes left to go in the first half. Karina Salgado (Jr./Chicago, Ill.) made a timely cross that was deflected and corralled by Klotz. Klotz quickly found an opening and fired in the first goal of the day for the Blue Angels.
13 minutes into the second half, the Blue Angels found another opening. Senior Becky Onan (Grafton, Wis.) found teammate Alexa Ahlgrim (So./Inverness, Ill.) deep in the opposition's territory. Ahlgrim was able to get off a shot and attain her first goal of the season. The early second half goal gave MMU a 2-0 lead.
Hannah Rose and the Blue Angel defense held onto the shutout. Rose now sits at 3-4-1 on the campaign with a 1.82 goals against average.
"I am really proud of the team today," remarked Mount Mary Head Soccer Coach Jon Gulrajani. "It took a huge group effort to get this win on the road. It was a tough stretch two games in two days with temps in the middle 90s."
"We asked the group to win their individual battles, we had so many players do that and it helped get the result." Coach Gulrajani added, "MacMurray is tough and [Lyndi Saccaro] is a special player. It took all of us supporting each other in the final third to keep her off the scoresheet."
The Blue Angels will enjoy a brief respite and then prepare for their third home game of the season against Grace Bible College (3-2-1). The Tigers defeated the Blue Angels 6-0 last season when MMU traveled to Michigan. This year, the Blue Angels will host the Tigers at Mount Mary Field on Fri. Sept. 29 at 3:30 pm. Live stats for the game will be available at mtmaryathletics.com.
