DECATUR, Ga. – In their first ever post season conference tournament, the Mount Mary University soccer team lost to Salem College 12-0 today on the campus of Agnes Scott. The loss ends MMU's season at an overall record of 3-17 (1-2 GSAC).
The Spirits looked to attack the MMU defense right away. A good setup off a rebounded shot led to the game's first goal by Kimberlee Templeton 1:07 into the contest. The Blue Angels responded by spacing out the field and forcing the Spirits to work for every opening.
Templeton again found a way around the MMU defense and blasted an unassisted shot past Becky Onan (So./Grafton, Wis.) making it 2-0 at the 13 minute mark. Templeton added another seven minutes later completing her hat-trick and giving Salem a 3-0 lead early.
One more goal by the Spirits led to a 4-0 halftime.
In the second half, the Blue Angels reshuffled their lineup in effort to cut into the lead. As the harsh rains began pouring down relentlessly, so did the Spirits offense. Three minutes into the second half Salem knocked in their fifth and sixth goals. SC continued to attack and ended the game with a 12-0 final.
"Overall it was a really good experience for us to participate in a conference tournament. I think our players learned a lot of great lessons which will help in the seasons to come," said Head Coach Jon Gulrajani.
"I was pleased with our first half. I thought we stayed organized. We defended really well and I thought our effort and energy was really good. Unfortunately I thought the second half we allowed an early goal and I think that really set the tone and it made things difficult for us to get an offensive opportunity. Give Salem credit, they are a pretty dynamic team attacking and they have a lot of depth so they can continue to come at you all game long."
A long season was capped off with a tough loss, but the Blue Angels made big steps from the beginning of the season to the end. Opening the season with some tough losses to rivals like Alverno and Finlandia, were nearly forgotten with the late season wins over each team.
"One game does not define our season. I am really proud of the progress the team made." Coach Gulrajani added, "It has been fun to see each player Improve. I look forward to continuing and developing our skills, so that we can be a little more consistent in years to come."
Another Blue Angels soccer season is in the books and with the team constantly improving, the 2016 season is looking bright for all Blue Angels faithful.
