STEUBENVILLE, Ohio (Sept. 30) – The Saint Vincent women's soccer team dropped a 1-0 decision to Franciscan University in a Presidents' Athletic Conference matchup on Wednesday evening at Trinity Health System Field in Steubenville.
The Bearcats (6-2-1, 1-1-1 PAC) controlled much of the offensive attack, outshooting Franciscan by a 13-5 margin, but an early first-half goal proved to be the difference.
Franciscan (7-0-1, 4-0 PAC) opened the scoring in the 16th minute. Catherine DeWolf set up Theresa English, who found the back of the net at the 15:50 mark to give the Barons a 1-0 lead.
Saint Vincent responded with a pair of scoring opportunities midway through the opening half. Lexi Graham put a shot on goal in the 25th minute before Addie Fisher followed with another attempt on target less than a minute later, but Franciscan goalkeeper Callie Giguere turned aside both shots.
The Bearcats continued to apply pressure late in the half, recording four more shots over the final 14 minutes, but Franciscan carried its 1-0 advantage into halftime.
Saint Vincent controlled possession for much of the second half, limiting the Barons to just two shots over the final 45 minutes while recording seven attempts of its own.
The Bearcats produced two of their best opportunities midway through the second half. Graham put another shot on goal in the 69th minute that was saved by Giguere before Bella Meder followed with an attempt on target just over two minutes later, but the Franciscan defense kept it out of the net.
Saint Vincent continued to push forward over the final 20 minutes, with Emily Ambrose and Meder each recording shots, but the Bearcats were unable to find the equalizer as Franciscan held on for the 1-0 victory.
Saint Vincent finished the evening with a 13-5 advantage in total shots and a 4-1 edge in shots on goal. Franciscan held a narrow 4-3 advantage in corner kicks.
Meder led the Saint Vincent offense with three shots, including one on goal. Graham and Fisher each recorded two shots, with Graham putting both of her attempts on goal and Fisher adding one shot on target. Emma Koller, Riley Kerr, Ambrose, Abby Sanders, Ava Justino and Jordan Kirkwood each recorded one shot.
Rilyn Warner played all 90 minutes in goal for Saint Vincent. The Bearcats' defense allowed just one Franciscan shot on goal over the entire match.
Saint Vincent returns to action on Saturday, October 3 when the Bearcats host Bethany College for Senior Day at UPMC Field. The PAC matchup is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. with senior day festivities taking place at the conclusion of the game.
