ROCKFORD, Ill. - The Rockford University women's soccer team fell 2-1 to the University of Olivet in the first game of the season. After fending off a barrage of Comet attacks in a scoreless first half, the Regents were able to strike first early in the second half.
Sofia McLaughlin came through in the 47th minute off a
Maggie Pacileo assist to take the 1-0 lead. Olivet answered back almost immediately in the 50th minute to tie the game 1-1. We were deadlocked until the final minute, when the Comets knocked in the game-winner to earn their first win of the season 2-1. This match marked the first time these two programs had ever faced off on the pitch.
- The first half was a defensive battle with both teams unable to notch a goal after 45 minutes.
- Rockford goalkeeper Lily Rose recorded seven saves over the opening period, while the offense struggled to get good looks.
- The offense flipped a switch coming out of the halftime break. Sofia McLaughlin was able to get behind the defense and convert off of a Maggie Pacileo assist to put the Regents in front 1-0.
- The lead was short-lived, with the Comets striking back to tie the game 1-1 in the 50th minute off the foot of Tressa Meeuwes.
- Lily Rose managed six more saves in the second half and Daisy Martinez had a couple good looks but the Regents weren't able to break the tie.
- Olivet's Nevaeh Hartshorn scored in the 90th minute to give the Comets a 2-1 victory.
