ADRIAN, Mich. -- A strong second half lifted the Siena Heights women's soccer team to a 3-2 victory over Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference opponent Madonna, on Saturday afternoon. Julia Stancato (Senior, South Lyon, Mich.) had two goals, including the game-winning goal.
THE BASICS
Final Score: Siena Heights 3, Madonna 2
Location: Adrian, Mich. (O'Laughlin Stadium)
Records: Siena Heights (7-3-1, 3-1 WHAC), Madonna (7-2-1, 2-1 WHAC)
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Saints came out on their toes as Ashley Strong (Junior, Howell, Mich.) opened the scoring for the Saints in the 8th minute as she took a shot in front of the box and slotted the ball past Madonna goalkeeper Alex Thomas (L, 6-2). The rest of the half would remain deadlock as both teams were sharp, controlled possession and set up scoring opportunities but all came up short. SHU would head to the locker room with the 1-0 lead. Each team had four shots in the first half.
The Crusaders fought back as Rachel Rubio netted the equalizer for Madonna in the 47th minute as she trickled the ball in net past a mob of Crusaders and Saints. SHU earned a penalty kick in the 59th minute after a foul on Madonna defender Emma Werthman and Stancato netted the ball to give the Saints the 2-1 lead. The Crusaders answered back a minute later as Grace Thomas scored off an assist from Sydnie Voss and Rubio in the 60th minute and pushed the game to a tie. Neither team were able to capitalize on its chances to earn the win and the game would go into overtime. The Crusaders edged SHU nine shots to two and each team recorded a corner kick in the second half.
The Saints earned a penalty kick after a another foul on Madonna defender Werthman and Stancato netted the ball to give SHU the win in the 94th minute. The Saints moved up in the standings and are currently third in the WHAC.
TOP SAINTS
• Strong scored once off her lone shot on goal to earn her second goal on the season.
• Stancato scored twice off two shots, both of which were on goal to earn her third and fourth goal on the season.
• Sophia Lentz (W, 5-3) made two saves in the winning effort.
THE OPPOSITION
• Rubio and Thomas each earned a goal.
• Voss and Rubio each earned an assist.
• Thomas had two saves between the pipes for the Crusaders.
UP NEXT
The Saints face Michigan-Dearborn in a home WHAC matchup on Wednesday, October 9th. The game is scheduled to kick off at 7:00 p.m., EDT.
