The Park Women’s soccer team opened its season last week with losses against Benedictine College and Missouri Valley College.
The Lady Pirates opened play against Benedictine College and the teams clashed with their defensive play as they went through a scoreless first half.
Park had 4 shots and 1 shot on goal, while Benedictine had 15 shots and 6 shots on goal.
Park Senior Defenders Cara Lightle and Jen French made some memorable plays, as they backed up Junior Goalie, Alisha Hoskins in a couple of close-call saves.
The start of the second half remained scoreless until Liz Enna scored for Benedictine. Junior Park Midfielder Bridget Steiner scored three minutes later – tying the game for Park with the assist by Sophomore Midfielder, Caitlin Foreman.
Kara Hines from Benedictine broke that tie in making it a 2- 1 game. Benedictine went on to score twice again and they defeated Park 4-1.
Park ended up with 9 shots and 3 shots on goal and Benedictine had 24 shots and 11 shots on goal total.
After Benedictine, Park sprang back into action against Missouri Valley College. The team continued to maintain their defensive play as Missouri Valley’s defense countered.
Haley Ennis of Missouri Valley scored the first goal of the game and Park saw their goal and countered back with Junior Forward Shnell Briscoe scoring a ball-on-break shot from a distance to the top corner with the assist by Sydney Patterson, freshman midfielder.
Missouri Valley took control of the game in the end of the first half and the beginning of the second half with 3 goals making it 4-1.
Park encountered a scoring opportunity when the women were awarded a penalty kick after Missouri Valley fouled. Senior Defender Jen French made the goal in the penalty kick to add another point making it 4-2.
Missouri Valley answered when they scored two more goals and took the game 6-2. Missouri Valley had 19 shots and 10 shots on goal; Park had 12 shots and 3 shots on goal.
In light of the two-game losing streak, the team will seek to change its record throughout the season.
The next game the women’s team will play will be at noon this Saturday, Sept. 14, at Park University’s Julian Field.
