Women Soccer team splits season opener

Chelsea Fiscus, a midfielder for the Patriots, (11, attempts to dribble around a Oklahoma Christian defender during Friday's game. The Patriot's lost their season opener 2-1. Photo by Dillon White

The University’s Women’s Soccer team split their first two games of the 2009 campaign. They fell 2-1 to the Oklahoma Christian Eagles Friday, but recorded their first victory with a 2-0 win against LSU-Shreveport on Sunday.

In Friday’s game, Ashley Crawford scored the Patriots’ lone goal of the game in the 24th minute, which gave the Patriots the lead. The Patriots held that lead until the second half. Lady Eagles’ Callie White tied the game at one with a goal in the 63rd minute.

The scored remained tied until Hope Heinen scored the Eagle’s go ahead and winning goal in the 90th minute. The Patriots were left with 33 seconds to tie, which they were unable to do. The Patriots ended the game with 15 shots; nine on goal. The Eagles ended the contest with 18 shots, with eight of them being on goal.

Patriots midfielder Analiz Medina (13) prepares to strike during Sunday's game against Lousiana State University-Shreveport. The Patriots won 2-0. Photo by Clay Ihlo.

Morgan Dux had four saves for the Patriots in the first half. Sam Fraser had two saves and allowed two goals in the second half. The Eagles’ Allie Cofer played all 90 minutes at goalkeeper. She finished the game with eight saves, while allowing one goal.

Sunday evening’s game against LSU-Shreveport was all Patriots from start to finish. Kendall Kramer scored the Patriots first goal in the 25th minute. Her initial shot was blocked, but Kramer was able to knock in the rebound. Analiz Medina received the assist.

LSUS came close to scoring the equalizer in the 72nd minute. A Pilots’ shot hit the crossbar and was kicked out of bounds by a Patriot.
Lauren Thomas scored the Patriots’ second and final goal of the game in the 82nd minute. Thomas had a goal called back in the 73rd minute because of an offsides call.

“We actually came out and played today,” head coach Stefani Webb said. “We didn’t play so much on Friday…but the girls looked brilliant today.”
Patriots’ goalkeeper Morgan Dux played all 90 minutes and making five saves. She recorded her first shutout of the year, and was named the American Southwest Conference Defensive Player of the Week. The Patriots out shot the Pilots 27-7.

The Women’s soccer team will be on the road this weekend, before returning home to begin conference play on Sept. 17 against Mississippi College.