Serving the University of Toledo community since 1919.

UT women open home season with a draw

Rockets fight to 0-0 finish last Sunday

Marcus Dodson, Sports Reporter

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The University of Toledo women’s soccer team opened the 2014 home season with a draw, battling Cal. State Northridge to a 0-0 double overtime finish last Sunday afternoon at Scott Park. UT moves to 1-0-1 with the draw.

Conditions at Scott Park were muggy, forcing both teams to lean on offseason conditioning to get them through the contest.

“All offseason fitness has been a big point of emphasis with our older girls and with great leadership like that we have been able to play through hotter weather like on Sunday with lesser problems,” said UT head coach Brad Evans. “It just says a lot about the type of culture we are trying to build.”

The Rockets finished the game with 14 shots on goal and six corner kicks.

“The work rate was excellent, I thought,” Evans said. “We fought for every ball and after the first ten minutes we really recognized where to put the ball into space to create chances. It’s going to come down to our younger attackers and if they can finish for us.”

Toledo received great play from junior midfielders Megan Connor and Geri Siudzinsk, while the Matador’s kept the pressure on the Rockets with 19 shots and nine corners.

Junior keeper Sam Tiongson was a wall for UT, coming up with six saves. Her biggest save came late in the first half when Matador forward Breanna McCallum ripped a shot inside the 18-yard box.

“We had a few miscues in the back between a few defenders and Sam, but that’s expected this early in the year,” Evans said. “I believe our backline held well together for the most part and we are going to need Sam to continue to play well like she did on Sunday going forward in the season.”

The Rockets suffered a scare early in the first half when redshirt freshman forward Regan Price had to come off the pitch due to reinjuring her left leg.

Price is coming off of an ACL tear last season. She was examined by the team’s medical staff and was cleared to play later in Sunday’s first half.

“Regan had to prove, not to us but to herself, that she was okay, and that she had confidence to continue to go out there and play and she did that,” Evans said. “She possesses a special mentality to want to create and score goals.

“You have to love coaching kids like that, and we will need her to use that creativity this season up top.”

The Rockets and Matadors both had good chances to score late but failed to capitalize.

The Rockets return to Scott Park on Friday, Aug. 29 to host ACC adversary Pittsburgh. Toledo will spend the next three weeks at home before traveling to Ann Arbor to take on Michigan on Friday, Sept. 5.

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Serving the University of Toledo community since 1919.
UT women open home season with a draw