Women’s Soccer Ties LTU, Earns First WHAC Point

STAY CONNECTED: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube
BE THE FIRST TO KNOW: Text & Email Alerts
DOWNLOAD OUR APPS: iOS (iPhone/iPad) | Android

DETROIT – The Marygrove women’s soccer program was able to end one WHAC drought when they played nearby conference counterpart, Lawrence Tech, to a draw Wednesday (Oct. 1) in Detroit. After splitting their first two meetings in the brief all-time series, the Mustangs (1-8-1, 0-1-1 WHAC) and Blue Devils (5-4-2, 0-1-1 WHAC) could not settle the score as 110 minutes of soccer resulted in a 1-1 tie Wednesday afternoon. The tie gave the Mustangs their first point earned in conference play in nearly two years, ending a drought that has been active since the team’s 1-0 win over the Blue Devils on Oct. 3, 2012.

Senior forward Cheyenne York (Taylor, Mich./Truman) caused issues for the Blue Devils’ defense all day, sneaking behind the back line on numerous occasions. The senior finally broke through in the 32nd minute when she slammed home her fourth goal of the season after making a nice run toward the net. York’s shot beat the Blue Devils keeper after it rang off the crossbar and passed the line to give the Mustangs a 1-0 lead. Junior defender Olimpia Bonilla (Salt Lake City, Utah/Barton CC) sent a ball through to York to earn the assist and her first point in a Mustang uniform.

The Mustangs’ backline of Bonilla, Kamry Miller (New Boston, Mich./UM-Dearborn), Sara Ruch (Oxford, Mich./Oxford) and Hailey Varney (Flushing, Mich./Auguste-Pattberg-Schule) was tough throughout the first half, limiting the Blue Devils chances to help the team take a 1-0 lead into the halftime break.

The Blue Devils came out strong in the second half and eventually scored of a corner kick goal in the 50th minute. Both defenses played organized, stopping scoring changes for each squad as the teams played to a deadlock after 110 minutes of action.

Bianca Barron (West Jordan, Utah/Barton CC) started her fourth game in net for starting keeper Stephanie Pilarski (Warren, Mich./Macomb CC). Primarily a field player, Barron put the goalie gloves on to help her team once again and played a strong game in net for the Mustangs. The junior transfer turned away eight Blue Devil shots, keeping the Mustangs in the hunt thanks to her aggressive performance.

York paced the Mustangs offensive effort with eight shots, five on goal, while fellow senior Emily Sauter (Trenton, Mich./Trenton) sent in a season-high three shots, one on goal, for the Green & Gold.

The Mustangs will hit the road Saturday (Oct. 4) for a tough conference tilt at NAIA No. 7 Davenport University. Game time is slated for 12 p.m. Saturday in Grand Rapids.

WOMEN’S SOCCER CONTACT: Tim Johnston | 313-927-1419 | tjohnston@marygrove.edu | @tjohnston56
MARYGROVE BROADCASTS: Mustang Sports Network | Twitter
WOMEN’S SOCCER: Twitter