Early Goal Lifts La Salle Past Orange

Photo, recap courtesy of Syracuse

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – The Syracuse women's soccer team (0-1-0) opened the 2018 regular season with a tough-luck setback, losing 1-0 against La Salle (1-0-0) Thursday night at SU Soccer Stadium. The match was the season opener for both squads.

"We knew what La Salle was going to be like - big, physical, combative and the ball was going to be in the air an awful lot," head coach Phil Wheddon said. "Just in one moment, their best player gets a ball on top of the box and manages to bury it. I'm disappointed because we controlled the game for the majority of the 90 minutes."

HOW IT WAS DECIDED
La Salle struck early, scoring the eventual game-winner six minutes into the match. Madison Bowers corralled a loose ball at the top of Syracuse's penalty box before bending the ball around redshirt senior goalkeeper Jordan Harris and into the back left corner of the goal.

OF NOTE
Syracuse tallied six shots, including four in the second half. Junior defender Taylor Bennett led the team with two shots.

The Orange's best scoring opportunity came in the 60th minute, when sophomore midfielder/forward Kate Hostage was fouled in the box. Bennett stepped up to take the penalty, but was stifled by La Salle's goalkeeper Claudia Jenkins.

Freshmen Abby Jonathan, Jenna Tivnan and Meghan Root and sophomore Stephanie deLaforcade made their collegiate debuts. Harris, a transfer from Arkansas, started in goal, making her first-ever appearance as a member of the Orange.

UP NEXT
The Orange travel to UConn Monday, Aug. 20 before returning home to host St. John's Thursday, Aug. 23. Admission at SU Soccer Stadium is free.

For complete coverage of Syracuse women's soccer, follow us on Facebook (Syracuse Women's Soccer), Twitter (@CuseWSOC) and Instagram (@CuseWSOC).

AGATE
                            1st          2nd        Final
La Salle                1              0              1
Syracuse              0              0              0

Scoring
5:13    La Salle        Madison Bower (unassisted)

Shots: La Salle - 10, Syracuse - 6
Corner Kicks: Syracuse - 5, La Salle - 5
Saves: Syracuse – 4 (Jordan Harris), La Salle – 2 (Claudia Jenkins)

Attendance: 241