BANGOR, Maine — The Husson University women's soccer team battled the University Wisconsin-La Crosse through a scoreless opening half before the Eagles fell 2-0 in non-conference action Sunday morning at John P. Boucher Field.
Husson (1-1) held Wisconsin-La Crosse (3-0), who received votes in the preseason United Soccer Coaches Top 25 Poll, off the scoreboard for the opening 45 minutes despite the visiting Eagles holding a 5-2 advantage in shots.
The Husson Eagles generated the first scoring opportunity of the contest in the 11th minute, earning a corner kick before freshman Nola Bryant sent a shot just wide of the left post. Wisconsin-La Crosse answered with several opportunities of its own, including an attempt from Amaya Thesing that struck the right post in the 29th minute.
Sophomore goalkeeper Gabriella Smith kept the contest scoreless moments later, turning aside a shot from Catherine Arnold in the 30th minute. Husson nearly broke through on the other end shortly after, as sophomore Kaitlyn Jones put a shot on frame in the 32nd minute that Wisconsin-La Crosse goalkeeper Summer Nicolai stopped.
Wisconsin-La Crosse broke the scoreless tie in the 52nd minute when Aubree Caya converted a penalty kick to give the visitors a 1-0 advantage.
Husson looked for an equalizer and produced an opportunity in the 62nd minute when junior Paige Dunn sent a shot over the crossbar. However, Wisconsin-La Crosse doubled its lead in the 67th minute when Arnold found the back of the net to make it 2-0 on a long free kick attempt.
Dunn generated another chance for Husson in the 74th minute, sending an attempt just high and to the right, but the Eagles were unable to cut into the deficit over the closing minutes.
Wisconsin-La Crosse finished with a 10-4 advantage in shots and a 5-1 edge in corner kicks, while both teams committed nine fouls. Jones recorded Husson's lone shot on goal, while Dunn led the Eagles with two shot attempts. Bryant added Husson's other shot. Smith played all 90 minutes in goal and recorded one save.
The Eagles are back in action at home on Saturday when they host Wheaton College at 2 p.m.
