ADRIAN, Mich. -- The Siena Heights women's fell to Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference opponent Madonna in the WHAC tournament quarterfinal, on Wednesday night. Sophia Lentz (L, 8-6) made nine saves for the Saints in the losing effort.
THE BASICS
Final Score: Madonna 2, Siena Heights 0
Location: Adrian, Mich. (O'Laughlin Stadium)
Records: Madonna (13-5-1, 7-4 WHAC), Siena Heights (12-6-1, 8-3 WHAC)
HOW IT HAPPENED
Both teams were in a battle at the beginning of the half for possession and scoring opportunities but were unable to connect the ball in net as each defense held strong. The Saints had a scoring opportunity as Emma Werthman earned a foul for a hand ball and SHU earned a free kick from about 17 yards out but was blocked by a Madonna defender. The Crusaders took over possession as they edged SHU and put up six shots compared to the Saints' four. Madonna ended the draw as Megan Verant netted the ball after she had a break away and took a shot 10 yards out in the 37th minute. SHU was unable to find the back of the net in the first half and the Crusaders kept the 1-0 lead through the half.
Madonna come out on their toes as Christina Moraccini took a shot 15 yards out and side netted the ball as it slotted past a mob of Saints defenders in the 48th minute to give them a 2-0 lead. The Crusaders continued to put up shots as they had seven compared to the Saints' four in the second half. In the 78th minute SHU had a scoring opportunity as Kennedy Barr (Junior, Eastpointe, Mich.) took a cornerkick and Mia Dronchi (Junior, West Bloomfield, Mich.) had a header but hit the crossbar and was cleared out by Madonna after the rebound. The Saints continued to gain momentum on offense in the remainder of the half as they put up shots and set up scoring opportunities but all came up short and the Crusaders held on for the win.
TOP SAINTS
• Julia Stancato (Senior, South Lyon, Mich.) recorded threes shots, two of which were on goal.
• Hannah Moening (Freshman, Ann Arbor, Mich.) tallied two shots, one of which was on goal.
• Elizabeth Furgason (Freshman, Haslett, Mich.) had two shots, one of which was on goal.
THE OPPOSITION
• Moraccini earned her first goal on the season and Verant added goal number 11 to her stat line.
• Jamie Moceri had two shots on goal.
• Alex Thomas (W, 8-5) made four saves between the pipes in the winning effort.
The Siena Heights women's soccer season came to an end with the loss today. The Saints finished with an overall record of 12-6-1 and a WHAC conference record of 8-3. Madonna moves on to the semifinals and will face UNOH on Saturday, November 8th.
