WHEATON, Ill. – The Greenville University women's soccer team turned in a strong defensive effort Saturday afternoon but came up just short in a 1-0 loss to Aurora University at Joe Bean Stadium.
The Panthers and Spartans battled through a scoreless first half, with Greenville creating several quality chances while limiting Aurora's opportunities. Greenville's best first-half looks came from
Alexa Chavez and
Avery Rahden, but Aurora goalkeeper Leila Connor made key saves to keep the match even heading into halftime.
Greenville continued to pressure in the second half, finishing with 10 shots and six shots on goal. Rahden led the Panthers with four shots, including three on target, while Chavez added two shots and
Lucia Altadonna recorded a shot on goal.
Aurora gradually increased its attacking pressure after the break, outshooting Greenville 9-6 in the second half. Panther goalkeeper
Kadynce Jones was called upon late and made two saves, including a stop in the 69th minute to keep the match scoreless.
The breakthrough finally came in the 83rd minute when Chelsey Johnson found the back of the net for Aurora, scoring the match's lone goal at the 82:07 mark.
Greenville pushed forward in search of an equalizer over the final minutes, earning a corner kick and generating opportunities in the attacking third, but the Panthers were unable to solve Connor, who finished with six saves and the shutout.
Jones played all 90 minutes in goal for Greenville, recording two saves. Defensively,
Kaytie McBride,
Brady Unger,
Kristie Kregel,
Peyton Turner, and
Ashlyn Wuebbels helped anchor a Panther back line that held Aurora to just three shots on goal despite facing 12 total shots.
The Panthers finished with a 12-10 disadvantage in shots and a 6-2 deficit in corner kicks.
Greenville falls to 0-3 on the season and will look to bounce back in its next contest on Tuesday night at home against Rose-Hulman at 7 p.m.
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