BERRIEN SPRINGS, Mich. – Today at Andrews University Soccer Field, the Mount Mary University soccer team lost to the host Cardinals by a score of 2-1. After an active offensive first half by both teams, the last 45 minutes saw each defense clamp down.
MMU and the Cardinals traded possessions for the first 25 minutes. With both teams angling for their best shot, no advantage was gained until the 25-minute mark. That is when Kristen Proctor, from Andrews University, received a cross from teammate Pearl Arkusinkski that Proctor promptly placed in the back of the goal to make things 1-0.
As the Cardinals continued their attack, they found another opening just six minutes later. This time, Proctor set teammate Arkusinkski up with a well-placed corner. Arkusinkski worked her way around the Blue Angels in the box and ripped a shot into the net to make the score 2-0.
After the Blue Angels regained their composure, the team attacked again and again. In the first half, MMU outshot the Cardinals 8-to-4. On an MMU attack, Karina Salgado (Sr./Chicago, Ill.) sliced through the defense and fired a shot that ricocheted off a defender's hand in the box, prompting a penalty kick. Salgado stepped up and drove a shot into the back of the goal to make the score 2-1.
After the 2-1 halftime score, the teams again traded possession and shots back and forth. Andrews and the Blue Angels each shot six shots as a team in the second half. Hannah Rose (Jr./Jeromesville, Ohio) and her defense were able to keep the opposition off the scoreboard for the remaining 45 minutes; Rose finished with six saves on the day.
Neither team could push a shot passed the goal line in the remaining 45 minutes of play. After a tense second half of close plays and traded shots, the final scored echoed the first half's score of 2-1.
After today's play, the Blue Angels will return to action Sat. Sept. 29 when they head back to Michigan to take on the Grace Christian University Tigers. Check out MtMaryAthletics.com for information on game times and live access.