(Ann Arbor, MI) The women's soccer team hosted Goshen College for their home opener on Friday afternoon. The Cardinal attacking play eventually led to a goal in the 80th minute off the foot of Starkey. The Cardinals controlled much of the match out-shooting the Maple Leafs 29-10.
Samantha Golchuk (JR/Garden City, MI) led the Cardinals attack early in the game with two shots that went just wide. Later in the first half, a Maple Leafs defender stopped a shot at the goal line fired by Olyvia Putnam (SR/Zeeland, MI). The score remained scoreless at half-time despite nine shots on goal by the Cardinals.
The Cardinals controlled much of the second half applying pressure in the front half of the field. The Cardinals finally broke through in the 80th minute. Sophia Bell (SO/Ofxord, MI) played a through ball in the middle of the field to Megan Starkey (FR/Macomb, MI) splitting two Maple Leafs defenders. Starkey's first shot was deflected by the goalie but the rebounded second shot found the back of the net to give the Cardinals a 1-0 lead.
The Cardinals added an insurance goal with 55 seconds left on a two versus one opportunity. Golchuk served a lead pass over to Amay Ciszewski (SO/Byron, MI) who was able to shield off a trailing Maple Leafs defender for her first goal of the season.
Samantha Golchuk paced the Cardinals attack with 6 total shots as three were on goal. A total of 10 Cardinals recorded shots on goal. Anna Roman (FR/Carleton, MI) recorded her first career shutout with nine saves to earn the win.
The win evens the Cardinals overall record to 1-1. The team will return to action at Cardinal Stadium on Saturday, August 31st when the Cardinals host Indiana University – East at 1pm.
