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Franco's Goal Not Enough as Cougars Fall to Kalamazoo

Franco's Goal Not Enough as Cougars Fall to Kalamazoo
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August 24, 2024

(Howell, MI)-- The Cleary Cougar women's soccer team played their first and only non-conference home game Saturday afternoon, as they took on the Kalamazoo College Hornets.  

Both teams were unable to get their breakthrough in the first half, with Kalamazoo having the better chances early, and Cleary growing into the game to gain momentum as the half played out.  Payton Zeh forced a great save out of K's Jess Forbis late in the first half, and the game was tied 0-0 after the first forty--five minutes.

Cleary came out of the gates on fire, forcing a few saves and blocked shots, but the Hornet defense was up to the task as they resettled into the action.  Disaster would strike for the Cougars in the 71st minute, as the ball was taken off a Cougar defender by Elle Bernas of Kalamazoo, who only had goalie Tara McGrath to beat, as she slotted it passed the Cleary goalie to score the game's first goal.  McGrath would have to make another save on Bernas just moments later to keep the game at 1-0.  In the 88th minute, a foul was called on the Cleary defense in the penalty area, and K's Sydney Hagaman doubled the Hornet lead on the ensuing penalty kick.  Cleary would cut the lead back to one just 45 seconds later, when Payton Zeh freed up Mariah Krone down the right hand side.  Krone dribbled toward the touch line, and centered a pass that got through all the Hornet defense to find a wide open Taylor Franco, who scored her first goal of the season.  Unfortunately for the Cougars, that would be the last scoring chance, and the game would end 2-1.

Tara McGrath played all 90 minutes, and made 6 saves on 8 shots on goal.  Kalamazoo outshot Cleary 20-11, with an 8-6 advantage on shots on goal.  Kalamazoo also held a 7-3 advantage on corner kicks, and both teams committed 10 fouls each.

Cleary falls to 0-2-1, and will be back in action next Saturday, August 31, when they travel to Highland Heights, Kentucky to take on Cincinnati-Clermont in a non-conference battle.  Kickoff is scheduled for 3:00 PM.