Above image of Emmy McMaude provided by the UMHB Athetics Department
BELTON, Texas- The UMHB women’s soccer team needed just one goal and little bit of a home field advantage to get past Belhaven 1-0 and into the semifinals of the ASC Tournament on Friday afternoon.
The Cru entered the match as the No. 2 seed in the West, and defeated the Blazers, who were the East division’s No. 3 seed. With the win, UMHB gets set to play UT Dallas on Thursday at 8 p.m. CT in Richardson, Texas in the tournament semifinals.
Defense was the major storyline throughout the first half of the contest, as the score remained tied at zero after 45 minutes. UMHB did outshoot the Blazers 5-2, but was unable to find the back of the net despite several open opportunities.
Midfielder Kristen Burdick finally capitalized on one of those opportunities in the 68th minute, after forward Maria Rico was tripped by a Belhaven defender inside the 18-yard penalty area. UMHB was awarded a penalty kick, and Burdick found the back of the net on a low shot inside the right post that was uncontested by Blazers goalkeeper Lauren Knorr.
The pro-UMHB crowd erupted in cheers as the Crusaders celebrated on the pitch. With the advantage, the Crusader defense continued to challenge every Belhaven shot, and the Blazers failed to find the back of the net during the contest.
The shutout victory was in large part due to two key saves by UMHB goalkeeper Emmy McMaude, a senior who allowed just two goals during the seven-match spring slate. The final of McMaude’s three saves saw her deflect a shot with just 2:24 left to play, as Belhaven’s Alysia Terry sent a shot to the right corner of the frame from about 20 yards out.
McMaude’s save kept UMHB in front and sealed the victory for the Cru. UMHB had seven shots on goal compared to Belhaven’s three. Burdick and forward Emily Blaettner each led the team with two shots apiece.
