WINONA, Minn. - The Winona State women's soccer team generated a number of quality scoring chances in their season opening contest against the University of Wisconsin Parkside but were unable to capitalize, falling to the Rangers 3-1.
A steady mist created a fast playing surface for both teams and Winona State took advantage of the fast track with a
Jaida Wiege goal at the 11 minute mark. A nice feed from
Missy Greco led to the Warrior lead early in the contest. The Rangers answered shortly thereafter with an equalizer through Isabelle Rivera. Rivera latched onto a loose ball in the Warrior box and drew the teams level.
Winona State carried the run of play in much of the first half, notching nine shots on goal and several point-blank opportunities which went just wide. UWP goalkeeper Alexis Baker was forced into several saves in the first 45 minutes of play, including pushing a pair of Warrior efforts onto the crossbar. The WSU forward tandem of Wiege and
Riley Harmon connected well for the Warriors, as did
Reanne Weil, who subbed on the first half.
WSU kept the pressure on to start the second half, tallying the first two shots on goal of the period. Unfortunately, a Wisconsin-Parkside free kick served into the penalty area from distance took a stealthy bounce on the wet turf just past the hour mark of the game and wound up in the back of the Warrior net for the Rangers third score. Defender Abbey Canfield was credited with the goal.
Winona State ramped up the offensive pressure in the final 30 minutes of play, seeing a shot carom off the crossbar and several other close range chances just miss. In total, WSU racked up six corner kicks in the game, including four in the second half.
Overall, the Warrior out-shot the Rangers 18-11 in the game and forced UWP goalkeeper Mia Guyton into nine saves. Winona State's
Yanel Ortiz finished with two stops, and saw her team defend just one Ranger corner kick. The Warrior's Greco earned a yellow card in the contest, as did UWP's Phoebe Hillary.
Wisconsin - Parkside moves to 1-0 on the season, while Winona State falls to 0-1 overall, and 0-0 in NSIC action. The Warriors will return to Maxwell Field in another nonconference game on Friday, Sept. 10 when they host Northern Michigan University. Kickoff is set for 5pm in Altra Federal Credit Union Stadium.
For the most up to date news in Warrior Athletics, please visit: www.WINONASTATEWARRIORS.com and @WinonaStateATH.
About Winona State University Athletics:
The Winona State University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics, as an integral part of the educational mission of the institution, is committed to offering opportunities to experience academic and athletic excellence for our student-athletes through two simple words: Graduate Champions.
Fourteen Warrior programs compete at the NCAA Division II level within the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC). Winona State University competes as an affiliate member of the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) in the sport of women's gymnastics.
