PORTLAND, Ore. – Lewis & Clark women's soccer opened its season with a 1-1 draw against the University of St. Thomas (TX) on Friday evening at Griswold Stadium.
THE BASICS
Lewis & Clark 1, St. Thomas (TX) 1
(Lewis & Clark 0-0-1)
(St. Thomas 1-0-1)
HOW IT HAPPENED
Senior
Rowan Levandoski scored in the 17th minute of the game to put the River Otters up 1-0.
Lewis & Clark created the first chance of the night in the seventh minute, when senior
Mischa Vanek forced a save from St. Thomas goalkeeper Kylie Soich. The Celts responded with a chance of its own in the 14th minute, when Jaida Rodea tested first-year goalkeeper
Lucia Barrón Núñez.
Just over two minutes later, the River Otters broke through.
Vanek was fouled just outside the 18-yard box, giving Lewis & Clark a free kick from about 21 yards out. Senior
Grace Smith faked the kick before junior
Ava Lazzara found Levandoski to her right. Levandoski struck a right-footed shot to the far post and into the back of the net from 24 yards out 16:16 into the game to give the River Otters a 1-0 lead.
Barrón Núñez made both of her saves before halftime as St. Thomas pressed for an equalizer. The Celts nearly tied the game late in the half when Valeria Lara hit the crossbar. Karleigh Villanueva collected the rebound and sent a shot toward the far post, but junior
Kaedance Stubbs cleared the ball away from the net to preserve the lead.
St. Thomas held an 8-5 advantage in first-half shots and earned four corner kicks, but Lewis & Clark took its 1-0 lead into halftime.
The River Otters controlled more of the play after the break and posted an 8-4 advantage in second-half shots. Smith led all players with four attempts in the game, while Vanek added three.
Sophomore
Riley Yip, senior
Iris Stutzman and first-year
Olivia Melanson also tested the St. Thomas defense. Soich stopped a Smith attempt in the 74th minute to keep the Celts within a goal.
Lewis & Clark created several opportunities to add an insurance goal late, with Vanek, Smith and Stutzman all attempting shots in the final five minutes.
St. Thomas equalized in the final second. Aryanna Vazquez scored off an assist from Rodea at 89:59, seconds after another Celts attempt sailed wide, to deny Lewis & Clark a season-opening victory.
BY THE NUMBERS
- Levandoski scored the first goal of her collegiate career, while Lazzara recorded her first career assist.
- Lewis & Clark outshot St. Thomas 13-12 and put three shots on goal.
- Barrón Núñez, Melanson and first-year Kara Dougherty all made their collegiate debuts in the game.
WHO'S NEXT
Lewis & Clark begins a two-game California road trip Saturday against Azusa Pacific. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
