The Southeast women’s soccer team drove home a 3-0 win tonight at their home opener against the University of Illinois Springfield. This game marked the second-highest match attendance yet, with approximately 846 people present.
The team got a strong start in the first seven minutes with a goal by sophomore forward Jennifer Brien, marking her first goal of the season.
During most of the first half, the Redhawks held possession and used their space on the field to make their opponents work twice as hard to defend. Energy levels on the pitch were high, especially for the home team, as most of their time was spent in the attacking third of the field.
It wasn’t until minute 36 of the game that senior midfielder Maggie Pike nestled a 30-yard shot into the back of University of Illinois’ net that the team’s momentum really picked up.
Three minutes later, Pike would sink another goal for the Redhawks on a penalty kick.
“Shoutout to Katie Lever for drawing the penalty kick, that was awesome, and it was a great team effort,” Pike said.
At 3-0, the Redhawks wouldn’t score another goal for the rest of the match, but they wouldn’t give up any, either.
With a solid lead in the first half under their belts, the Redhawks sailed into the second half where their possession game remained strong. The University of Illinois was able to take their first shot on goal in the match toward the end of the second half, finally giving freshman keeper Maddie Gleeson some action in goal.
The opponents were not able to capitalize on their shot, though, as Gleeson saved the penalty kick shot that flew over the Redhawks’ several-person wall.
“I think we came off a good first half performance and we are continuing to try and use these opportunities to try and narrow down what some of the best positions and best combinations of players are for us,” head coach Heather Nelson said. “We’re starting to learn where our depth is in positions.”
The team was not in a rush to force the ball up or down the field and moved as a unit to make combinations and plays happen in the space they created for themselves.
“I think we got better as a team today,” Nelson said. “I think this team is going to be more about our entire level of play than any one or two specific people. I feel like we have a good place to work from in the things that aren’t necessarily as coachable.”
Thanks to a tight defense, quick technical footwork and the team’s ability to posses the ball with little turnover, the Redhawks defeated the University of Illinois with ease, making the home opener to their season one that leaves Semo Soccer fans ready for more.
