Livonia, MI - The Madonna University Women's Soccer Reserves capped their season off with a 1-0 defeat of Alma College. That win, coupled with a 2-0 win versus Heidelberg a week earlier, helped the Crusaders to end the season on a five match winning streak and finish with an overall 8-2 record.
HOW THEY HAPPENED
- Alma: 1-0 Win
- Madonna out-shot the Scots from Alma by a 22-7 margin while controlling the tempo throughout.
- Silvia Rios scored the lone goal for Madonna, netting her fourth on the season.
- Emilohi Izirein played all 90 minutes in goal, making nine saves, and earning her fifth shutout of the season.
- Heidelberg: 2-0 Win
- After a 5-0 victory on the road, the Crusaders played host to Heidelberg.
- The Crusaders took control early and dominated throughout with a 13-3 advantage in shots
- Melanie Porter gave Madonna the early lead when she scored off a combination from Rachel LaRowe and Grace Thomas to make it 1-0 in the sixth minute. Porter now has 10 on the season.
- Despite allowing zero shots on goal for the game, the scored remained tight until Silvia Rios added an insurance goal off a pass from Gabby Dedvukaj in the 77th minute.
- Goalkeeper, Emilohi Izirein earned her fourth shutout of the season.
Season Milestones
- The Crusaders posted an 8-2-0 record in 2018 after posting a 3-4-1 record in 2017.
- Melanie Porter lead the team in scoring with 21 points (10G, 1A) while Alex Sherlock was second with 8 points (8G, 2A).
- Rachel Rubio and Grace Thomas tied for the lead in Assists with six while Gabby Dedvukaj earned four.
- Emilohi Izirein lead the team in goal with 660 minutes played, five shutouts, and 48 saves in eight games played.
PATTON'S PARLOR
- "For only our second season fielding a Reserve Team, this year was a big step forward. We had a better team on the field, played an exciting style of soccer, and the results were much better. Eight wins in ten games is a strong season, however, I would prefer to play several more games. Unfortunately, injuries and cancellations happen. Hopefully next season we can take it a step further with about 14 matches and build on our successes."
