Women’s soccer wins one loses one

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Game 1:

The University of Dallas women’s soccer team opened their season this past weekend with an unfortunate loss against Johnson and Wales University 3-2.

This game was the first Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC) soccer game played on the new soccer field. The men’s soccer game, originally scheduled prior to the women’s game, was cancelled due to inclement weather. It was also the first SCAC game for newcomer Johnson and Wales, who entered the conference this year.

After raining all day Friday, the girls played through puddles and mud the entire game. Even though the conditions were not ideal, the Crusaders out-played and heavily out-shot Johnson and Wales 18-12. Unfortunately, the girls were unable to convert on most scoring chances, hitting shots off the post several times.

Freshman midfielder Le Lien from Katy, Texas, opened the scoring for the Crusaders in the 55th minute, and sophomore forward Whitney Jackson from Pryor, Okla., scored the second goal for Dallas in the 61st minute. However, this was not enough to deter the SCAC newcomers, who scored three goals of their own in the 53rd, 56th, and 67th minutes.

“I was very pleased with how we played,” said Dallas Head Coach Lexi Stinson.  “Obviously there is still room for improvement, but we have grown each week which is exactly what we want. I have never seen our team battle so hard.”

Goalkeeper Natalie Kutac from Bulverde, Texas, played all 90 minutes in goal for UD and led the Crusaders from the back line. Junior Elisa Duran from Pomona, Calif., and freshman Bekah Gonzalez from Reno, Nev., each tallied an assist.

Game 2:

The University of Dallas women’s soccer team finished the weekend with a huge win on Sunday, Sept. 9 against Howard Payne University, winning by a score of 4-1.

Junior midfielder Elisa Duran from Pomona, Calif., carried the team with a great offensive performance, scoring a hat-trick, three straight goals, and assisting the other Crusader goal. Senior Mason Cosgrove from Las Cruces, N.M., scored the fourth goal for Dallas.

Howard Payne’s goal came in the 60th minute, which talied the score 2-1 after Duran’s first two goals. Duran scored again in the 65th minute and Cosgrove followed up with the final goal of the game in the 70th minute.

“I think the game we played today showed us, and our opponents, that we aren’t the same team we used to be and we are capable of achieving great results,” Duran said.

The Crusaders and the Howard Payne team had an equal number of shots by the end of the game at 13 apiece, but the Crusaders capitalized on their opportunities and dominated for most of the match. Sophomore Whitney Jackson from Pryor, Okla., and freshman Bekah Gonzalez from Reno, Nev., each had shots of their own.

Natalie Kutac from Bulverde, Texas and Olivia Severson from La Crosse, Wis. split halves at goalie with Kutac playing the first half and Severson replacing her for the second half.

“Our team is playing with energy and passion, and they’re fighting for each other,” said UD Head Coach Lexi Stinson after the game.  “We’re excited for the upcoming conference games and hoping to take the momentum from this weekend into our game against Centenary on Tuesday.”

The Crusaders next game is at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 11, at Centenary College in Louisiana.

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