The Ave Maria University women's soccer team played their lone neutral site game of the 2022 season on Thursday, battling the Mountaineers of Eastern Oregon University on the campus of St. Thomas University. A goal in the closing moments of the first half proved to be the difference, as the Mountaineers claimed a 1-0 victory over the Gyrenes in the first ever meeting between the two schools.
Eastern Oregon was the more aggressive team in the first half, as the Mountaineers outshot the Gyrenes by a 9-2 margin. The teams played 43 minutes of scoreless soccer before the Mountaineers finally broke through for what would prove to be the only goal of the afternoon. Kana Mateaki got the ball in the box in the 44th minute, and placed it in the top corner of the goal with just under two minutes to play, giving Eastern Oregon a 1-0 lead.
Ave Maria increased their intensity in the second half, but could not find the back of the net. The Gyrenes and the Mountaineers both attempted five shots in the final 45 minutes, with both goalkeepers taking four shots. The Gyrenes possessed the ball much more in the second half, and did not allow many quality scoring opportunities to Eastern Oregon despite eventually dropping the 1-0 decision.
Maddie Samuelson continued to play outstanding soccer, making six saves against a persistent Eastern Oregon attack. Over the first three games of the season, the fifth year senior from Colorado has made 25 saves, a total that currently ranks fourth in the nation. She is also one of just seven players in the nation to average more than eight saves per season in multiple games thus far this season.
Offensively, Chiara O'Keefe was the lone Gyrenes with multiple shots, with both attempts going on goal. The other five Gyrene shots were provided by Brenda Tubb, Rachel Dalton, Lauren Brooks, Madelyn Krause, and Nina Laville. In total, Eastern Oregon outshot the Gyrenes by a 14-7 margin. However, the Mountaineers' edge in shots on goal was just 7-5, while Eastern Oregon was responsible for the game's only two corner kicks.
After playing two games in less than 72 hours, the Gyrenes will rest for nearly a week before their next contest. Ave Maria will welcome an NCAA Division II opponent to Gyrene Field on Wednesday, as the Lions of Saint Leo University come to town. Kickoff from Ave Maria is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.
Original source can be found here.
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