ST. LOUIS, MO — The Statesmen women’s soccer team scored in the first two minutes of action Tuesday, but unfortunately came up short the rest of the afternoon as it finished with a 1-1 tie against non-conference foe Harris-Stowe State.
WPU (2-1-3), which defeated Stephens 2-1 less than 24 hours earlier, earned its third draw of the campaign despite being outshot 12-6.
Sore and tired bodies were rejuvenated out of the gate as a free kick from Luca Szucs (Jr., Gyor, Hungary, Exercise Science) pin-balled in the box before Elycia Cooley (Jr., Galveston, Texas, Biology) poked it past the Hornet goalkeeper for a 1-0 lead just 63 seconds into action.
The Statesmen lost the shots battle 8-4 in the opening period, but remained on top by the one-goal margin at halftime.
Unfortunately, H-SSU (1-1-1) produced the equalized at the 54:48 mark. The sides combined for just six total shots after intermission with William Penn notching the lone try on target, but it was saved as the visitors finished off a busy start to the season that included six games in 13 days. The navy and gold will now enjoy a much-needed 11 days off before returning to action at Drost Field in Oskaloosa against Heart of America Athletic Conference opponent Baker (1:30 p.m. start).
Cooley, Lina Regadane (So., So., Ijmuiden, Netherlands, Business Management), and Madison Soratos (Fr., Murrieta, Calif., Psychology) all managed two shots, while Madeline Danielson (Sr., La Crescent, Minn., Biology) locked up the tie with four saves.
“The legs were very heavy today and it showed throughout the match,” Head Coach Kaleb Preston said. “We are tied for the most matches played in all of the NAIA–men’s or women’s–and it has taken its toll physically and mentally. On the bright side, we have some time to rest, recover, and focus our attention on Baker and the grueling Heart schedule ahead.”
