Women's Soccer Posts First Loss Since August

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Belmont University Women's soccer fell 2-0 to Missouri Valley Conference opponent Southern Illinois University in an intense matchup.
 
The Bruins honored the fiftieth anniversary of Title XI at E.S. Rose Park. Betty Wiseman, Belmont Athletics' pioneer of women's sports was in attendance and got the Bruins fired up before the match.
 
Belmont (3-2-4) battled hard all match yet, were unlucky finishing their pivotal opportunities. The Bruins recorded nine shots, six saves, and five corner kicks against the Salukis (4-2-2).
 
"In every conference match everyone is going to come to get the three points." Said Head Coach Heather Henson.
 
Each of the nine shots came from different Belmont athletes. Kennedy Wise, Carly Ross, Leah Firsdon, Natalie Haverland, and Mai Thy Nguyen recorded shots on goal.
 
E.S. Rose Park hosted a defensive battle with a scoreless first half.
 
The Bruins posted fantastic opportunities on the pitch, the first by Nguyen who found herself one versus one against the Salukis goalkeeper but could not find the angle.
 
Off of a corner in the second half Doherty got a head on the ball just grazing the post.
 
"The game of soccer is a game of inches, there were times the ball didn't bounce our way."
 
The Salukis earned their first goal of the day off of a rebound from a penalty kick from Christy Murauskis. Doyle successfully saved the penalty kick but the rebound was able to get past her. Fifteen minutes later the Salukis went up 2-0 over the Bruins as Kaitlin DuCharme found herself in the top of the box to hit the lower corner.
 
Claire Fallon, Avery Nowak, Loren House, and Sarah Doyle recorded a full 90 minutes on the pitch.
 
An extremely physical matchup on the pitch today as both teams drew double digit fouls.
 
Today, Sunday, September 25 marks the first loss for the Bruins since August 21.
 
"We're staying focused, we will respond by learning from this loss just as we do each game, taking things match by match. Trust the process."
 
Up Next: The Bruins remain home to host UIC in Missouri Valley Conference play Thursday, September 29 at 6:30 p.m. CT.