Above photo courtesy of the UMHB Athletics Department
BELTON, Texas- The UMHB women’s soccer team concluded its non-conference schedule on Saturday evening, notching its fourth straight shutout in a 4-0 win over Austin College.
The Crusaders, whose lone loss came in overtime at Southwestern, 1-0 , moved to 5-1 on the year. Next Thursday’s road match at ETBU marks the conference opener.
UMHB did not hesitate on Saturday night, as senior midfielder Grace Greenly found the back of the net early at the 17th minute, on an assist from forward Maria Rico. It was the only goal the Cru would need, though senior defender Kristen Burdick extended the advantage to 2-0 before halftime, scoring on an assist from sophomore Carly Van Essen.
Greenly’s night was not done, either. She added her second goal of the evening at the 47:10 mark after receiving a well-placed pass from forward Brynna Gardner. Sophomore forward Mackenzie Worthy then tallied her first goal in a UMHB uniform, capping off the Cru’s 4-0 victory in the 63rd minute.
Austin College had no counter, and the UMHB defense limited the Roos to a mere one shot for the game’s entirety. That shot, in the 6th minute by Sydney Padget, was saved by goalkeeper Ainsley Westlake, who played the first 45 minutes before she was replaced by Reagan Williams.
Using two goalkeepers is nothing new for the Crusaders, who have employed that strategy for much of this season. Both Westlake and Williams have performed well in their roles, allowing just one goal total.
The same level of defensive play was seen in UMHB’s 3-0 win over Wisconsin-Stevens Point on Friday night in Belton. In the first meeting between the two programs, the Cru limited the Pointers to a total of four shots, three of which were on goal.
Greenly powered the offensive attack, scoring the Cru’s first two goals at the 21 and 29-minute marks. Rico got the ball to sophomore midfielder Ashley Vensel for UMHB’s third goal of the game as Vensel found the back of the net at the 76:48 mark.
Greenly, who entered the week having not yet scored this season, now leads the team in goals with four. She has also posted a team-high five assists.
Men’s Soccer falls to Trinity 3-0
SAN ANTONIO, Texas- In the UMHB men’s soccer team’s only match of the week, Trinity (TX) defeated the Cru 3-0 on Friday.
The Tigers’ first half defense challenged the Cru early on, holding the visitors from Belton to just one shot, which came from Ethan Buchanan in the fifth minute. Though the Cru fired six second-half shots, just one was on goal. By the time the second half began, Trinity had already scored twice, first striking at the 23:17 mark.
UMHB is now 2-3 on the year and begins its conference schedule at ETBU on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. CT.
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