UW-Stout 2, Saint Mary's University 1
MENOMONIE (September 26, 2021) - Two first half goals helped UW-Stout give Saint Mary's University their first loss of the season at Nelson Field on Sunday. The Blue Devil came out on top, 2-1, in a physical match-up between the two defense-minded teams.
Ranked sixth in Region IX, the Blue Devils (7-2-1) knew this would be a hard fought game against Saint Mary's (7-1-1), who were right behind them in the region rankings, ranked ninth in the region. Stout started their Sunday match with a quick goal from
Rachel Younker at the four minute mark.
Remy Soulak picked up the assist from a indirect kick from inside the box after the Cardinals had an illegal hand ball.
The second goal of the half came when the Cardinal's goalie found herself out of position.
Lexi Boyd took this opportunity to kick the ball in the net from 30 yards out, capitalizing on the Cardinal's empty net in the 36th minute.
Stout went into the second half with a two goal lead, but that dwindled down to one Saint Mary's Jordyn Matthews goal at the 59 minute mark. With the spark of momentum, Saint Mary's picked up the pressure, but Stout turned the Cardinal's aggressiveness into fouls, controlling the clock and the ball. The Cardinals had seven of their 10 fouls in the second half.
Stout's goalkeeper,
Haley Vokaty, recorded six saves, only allowing one goal. Vokaty also controlled the Cardinal's cross attempts, not allowing many good looks for Saint Mary's, giving Vokaty her fifth win of the season. Two Cardinal goalie combined for three saves. The Cardinals outshot Stout 13-7 overall. Stout put five shots on net to Saint Mary's eight on goal, three from Jordyn Matthews.
Both teams have been stingy with goals this season. The Cardinals gave up their first goal Saturday, while Stout has allowed two goals in only two matches and has five shutouts.
The Blue Devils will return to action at Nelson Field on Wednesday, Sept. 29, to face Hamline University at 7 p.m. before hosting UW-Platteville in the conference-opener Friday, Oct. 1 at 4 p.m.
