THE BASICS

Score: Madonna University 0, Aquinas College (Mich.) 3
Records: Madonna (0-1-0, 0-1-0), Aquinas (1-0-0, 1-0-0)
Location: Legacy Center, Brighton, Mich.

BRIGHTON, Mich.– The Madonna University women's soccer team's opened up their season on Wednesday afternoon when they traveled to Brighton, Mich. to also open up Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference play for both teams. 

HOW IT HAPPENED 

• Madonna was held away from the ball for the majority of the first 15 minutes as Aquinas was keeping the ball in the offensive end and keeping the pressure on the Crusaders defense. The Blue and Gold had a couple solid opportunities right away though as Megan Verant got off a solid shot in the third minute but was just high of the bar. 
• The Saints were finally able to get their first goal of the game in the 26th minute from Hannah Crum as she took a battled pass and was able to get it past Crusader goalie Alex Thomas for the early 1-0 lead. The rest of the half saw both teams have unsuccessful shots go off target. 
• Madonna came out trying to score right away as Nicolette Vultaggio got off two shots that narrowly missed the goal. 
• The next two Aquinas goals came only 2:12 minutes apart in the 62nd minute and the 64th minute from Laia Cunill and Abby Frankhouse. 
• The final 25 minutes saw multiple shots that would not be able to get past either goalie. 

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Madonna was outshot by Aquinas 21-13 and 9-5 in shots on goal.
• Thomas was able to save six shots, including multiple key saves to keep it a one-goal lead in the first half. 
• Verant led the team with five total shots with one being on goal. 

UP NEXT

• The Crusaders will travel to Kentucky for two games with the first being against Thomas More University on Sunday, February 14 and it begins with a 2 PM kickoff.
• Links will be made available at mucrusaders.com

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