Traveling time again for the Blue Angels. The Mount Mary University soccer team is going to Hancock, Mich. to play Finlandia University. Kickoff for the game is Saturday Sept. 27th at 10:00 am.
The series, since 2009, is split between the Lions and Blue Angels at four apiece. In the last three games, Finlandia University has won in defensive battles. Most notably was the last contest between the teams, where Finlandia University broke the 0-0 tie in with a goal in the 80th minute of play. In that last game between the Lions and Blue Angels, the Navy Halos were outshot 31-1.
This year, MMU has been able to turn the tides offensively, while remaining top notch on the defensive side. As of Sept. 23rd Blue Angel Becky Onan (Fr./Grafton, Wis.) leads NCAA Division III women's soccer in saves this season. Onan has 105 saves on the year, and has been a giant boost for the Navy Halos ability to hold the last five opponents to fewer than two goals a game.
Offensively the Blue Angels have been relying on the talents of Emily Ristow (Jr./Sheboygan, Wis.) who leads the team with eight goals this season. Ristow has been able to capitalized off the hard work of Marissa Rechlicz (Fr./West Allis, Wis.) who has three of teams eight assists on the year. Rechlilcz is placing the ball in perfect locations for her teammates to get good shots on goal. The presence of the freshman, Rechlicz, on both offensive and defensive side of the pitch have been instrumental to the team's recent success. Taking command of the sidelines with well-placed throw-ins, gobbling up opponents' attacks and forcing them to pass out, and accurate passes to start the offense, Rechlicz has been more than what her stats reflect to this point on the year.
After the contest against Finlandia University, the Blue Angels are headed for River Forest, Ill. to face off against Concordia University Chicago. The Cougars played at the Mount Mary Invitational at the beginning of the season, but the two teams did not match up. Kickoff for the MBU versus CUC game is Oct. 1st at 3:00 pm.
