Box Score EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – Belmont women's soccer struggled to overcome a pesky SIUE squad in the OVC opener Friday night at Ralph Korte Stadium where the Bruins fell to the Cougars, 3-1.
BU (4-3-1, 0-1-0) had no problem creating opportunities in their attacking third, outshooting SIUE (3-4-1, 1-0-0) 22-10, but couldn't find a way past the Cougars keeper, Juli Rossi. While they dominated the offensive tempo for much of the match it was the Cougars that made the most of their limited looks.
The Bruins controlled the tempo early on, getting one of their best looks in the 17th minute after freshman Sydney Cason (Hendersonville, Tenn.) made a run down to the right corner of the field and made a beautiful cross that met the feet of sophomore Niki Clements (Perkasie, Pa.). The forward then released a shot from inside the box that forced Rossi to make her first of five saves on the evening.
Despite limiting the Cougars to only three offensive looks in the opening half, SIUE found a way to strike first in the 33rd minute after Andrea Frerker received a ball from Avery Anderson. Frerker let one go 15 yards out to put SIUE up, 1-0, a lead which it would never relinquish.
Ten shots weren't enough for Belmont to get a chance at putting in the equalizer in the first stanza. Three separate players found the frame with Clements and senior forward Belicia Mendiola (McKinney, Texas) getting the best looks.
The Cougars doubled their advantage five minutes into the second half on a goal from Peyton Poehnelt, giving SIUE a 2-0 lead.
With the momentum appearing to be in SIUE's favor, rookie forward Halle Krebs (Lakewood, Ohio) continued to shine for the Bruins offense after netting her fourth goal of the season to keep Belmont in the match, cutting their deficit in half. The freshman made an acrobatic move inside the 8-yard box in the 63rd minute after corralling a perfectly placed cross from senior Tara Austin (Beaumont, Texas). Krebs' shot soared over the goalie's hands and into the goal to give BU new life.
Five minutes later the Cougars pushed its advantage back to a pair of goals after Anderson beat the Bruins defense and tapped one it to put SIUE ahead, 3-1, and seal Belmont's fate.
UP NEXT
Belmont embarks on a four-match home stand with Austin Peay on Sunday, Sept. 17. First touch is slated for 2 p.m. at E.S. Rose Park.
