NOTRE DAME, Ind. - Women's soccer faced the Saints of Holy Cross on the road in Notre Dame, with a delayed start time of 8 p.m. due to the heat advisory in effect. After a scoreless first half and a strong performance from the Maple Leafs defense, the Saint ended up walking away with the win 2-0.
The first goal came in the 64th minute as a result of a penalty kick. However, it was not the penalty kick itself that was the goal, that was saved by Hailey Ballast for her second PK save in row — she also had one in the face off against IUSB.
Dayanara Huerta took the penalty and she was also the one to pick up the rebound after Ballast managed to clear it, so in the end she still found the back of the net.
The second goal came in the 84th minute after the Leafs were caught on their heels by a Saints counterattack that managed to penetrate through the backline. Ballast did what she could, but Frances Parks was already on goal with space ahead to place an accurate shot.
For her part, Sophia Yoder led the Leafs on the offensive end, picking up four shots in the match and putting two very dangerous attempts on frame. Yoder, as well as Laura Castro, May Boudreau, Evyn Pruett, and Jemima Potter, all forced saves out of Montserrat Alvarez Torres that certainly could have been goals without her quick hands.
The attack from GC looked well put together all night, but it was a combination of several unlucky deflections and strong saves from Alvarez Torres that came the Leafs out of the net.
The Maple Leafs are back in action for another home match as they face the University of St. Francis (IL) on Saturday, Sep. 5 at 2:30 p.m.
