Women's Soccer Comes Up Short to Foresters

(Huntington, IN)—The Cleary Cougar women's soccer team played their second road game in a row to start the season, but came up short, as the host Huntington University Foresters won by a 2-0 scoreline.

After some back-and-forth action early, the Foresters would strike first.  After the Cougars were unable to clear a dangerous ball out of the box, the ball fell to a Huntington player who fired a rocket into the left netting, and past goalie Tara McGrath.

Huntington would double their lead later in the half when a Cleary corner kick turned into a Forester counterattack.  McGrath came off her line to slow the break down, but Huntington would maneuver past McGrath and shot into the empty net to take a 2-0 lead.

Neither team was able to create any truly dangerous chances for most of the second half, but Cleary came close with 12 minutes left in the game when Anna Megie sent a shot just over the crossbar on a free kick.  With 8 minutes left in the game, McGrath came out to make a play on the ball, but made too much contact with a Forester player, and a penalty was given.  McGrath made up for the foul, and made a diving save to keep the deficit at 2-0.

Cleary had a golden chance to cut into the deficit, when Mikaela Calvimontes scored a goal, but was called offside, and the score remained 2-0, which it would remain until the final whistle. 

Cleary was outshot 12-5, with 7-4 shots on goal in favor of the Foresters.  Cleary committed 9 fouls to Huntington's 7.

Tara McGrath suffered the loss in goal, allowing 2 goals on 7 shots.  Taylor Franco led Cleary with 2 shots on goal.

Cleary drops to 0-2 on the season.  The Cougars will be back in action on Saturday, August 26, when they welcome the Bethel Pilots to Lake Trust Stadium for a non-conference matchup.  Kickoff is scheduled for 2:00 PM.