GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The #23 Lady Tiger soccer team headed up north to Grand Rapids, Michigan to compete at #9 Aquinas College Thursday evening. Campbellsville dropped to the Saints 3-0 in their first loss of the 2022 season.
To begin the match, both teams optimized space on the field to keep the ball consistently moving. Both the Lady Tigers and the Saints pressed forward toward the opposing goal, but Campbellsville was first to take shots.
Agatha Nimene and
Rebecca Lilley took a chance at a goal but missed their shots wide left.
Aquinas clawed back with five consecutive shots of their own.
Doeschka Birnage remained solid as she tallied three saves in that time. Quickly, the Saints passed the ball down field. A Saints cross toward the penalty box allowed a fellow Saint to head the ball in past Birnage for the opening score. Aquinas had continued to keep the ball in play within proximity of the goal but fighting Lady Tiger defense kept the opponent from breaking through again.
At the half, Aquinas had taken 12 shots compared to the Lady Tigers' seven attempts. Campbellsville kept up with the Saints as they only trailed Aquinas six shots on goal with four shots on target themselves.
Four minutes into second half, Aquinas put up another point on the board with their savvy second goal. Despite over-aggressive play to cut into their deficit, The Lady Tigers fell succumbed to their play as the Saints pushed ahead with another goal in the 71st minute. Campbellsville's stamina decreased as their opportunities to score grew slimmer due to the Saints' pressure defense. Campbellsville had only two shots in the second half of play versus the eight shots that Aquinas took.
In total, the Lady Tigers took nine shots and the Saints kicked over double that number with 20 of their own. Although Campbellsville collected zero points,
Angeline Kieh and Nimene both tallied two shots on goal, a testament to the Saints' strong keeper play.
The Lady Tigers will continue their travels to face-off Concordia University (Mich.) on Saturday, September 3
rd. The game is set to begin at 1 p.m. ET.
