Fulton, Mo. – Despite an impressive 10 saves made by senior goalie Sarah Cradick (Maryland Heights, Mo. / Pattonville) the Westminster women's soccer team was defeated by the Rhodes Lynx 1-0. The Blue Jays fall to 0-3 on the season.
Westminster took the first shot of the match in the first minute when Abbey Montana (Barnhart, Mo. / Seckman) was able to fire a deflected ball towards the Rhodes goal but wide of the net. The Lynx responded with a shot of their own that Cradick was able to grab for a save, her first of four in the half.
The teams remained evenly matched for the rest of the first half. Each team drew a corner kick and Westminster took five shots in the half to Rhodes' six.
However, in the second half the Lynx were able to use their deep bench to get fresh legs onto the pitch and saw their offensive production nearly double. Rhodes outshot Westminster 11 to four in the half and scored the only goal of the game off the rebound of a header following a corner kick. Cradick stopped six of the seven shots she faced and finished the match with 10 saves.
Freshman defender Maddy Lawton (Wentzville, Mo. / Timberland) led Westminster with four shots.
"Tonight we played against a very good team. Our girls played hard and were able to implement some of what we have been working on. We were more organized defensively and are moving in the right direction," said Westminster Head Coach Wendy Sanchez.
The Blue Jays play again on Saturday Sept. 7 at 7 p.m. at home against Augustana College (Illinois).
