Boxscore
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The fourth-ranked Embry-Riddle women's soccer team opened the play in the third annual Habitat for Humanity Invitational with a 3-0 win over No. 16 Kansas Wesleyan, Friday at the Embry-Riddle Soccer Stadium. The Eagles scored all three goals in the first half and got scores from three different players to improve their overall record to 4-1-1.
"What a great first night of soccer here at the Habitat for Humanity invitational," ERAU Head Coach
Samantha Bohon said. "Great kick off game between Northwood and Concordia and then nice to finally get a night game at home against a strong and talented Kansas Wesleyan team. We knew they were good technical team and they showed that tonight but I thought our team came out ready to play. We looked pretty dangerous, especially in the first half, and then had a very professional second-half."
The Eagles scored the first goal of the night in the ninth minute. Going on the attack down the left side,
Katherine Ebbs forced a KWU defender to play the ball out over the end line. Ebbs then went to the left corner flag and lifted a cross into the box where it was met by
Rebekka Gisladottir, who headed home the first goal of her Embry-Riddle career to put the Eagles up 1-0.
Nine minutes later,
Martine Olsen got into a one-v-two situation as Andrea Frøshaug passed the ball into the box. The KWU defenders got to the ball first, but miscommunication between the two led to the ball falling to Olsen and the senior pushed a shot past the diving goalkeeper to make the score 2-0 in favor of the home team.
Valerie Obita got into the scoring column in the 35th minute. Frøshaug was brought down about five yards outside the penalty box.
Kristin Sverrisdottir took the ensuing free kick and Obita ran in from behind the KWU defense to rocket a thunderous shot into the upper netting for a 3-0 Eagle advantage.
The first half saw the Eagles best the Coytoes 8-1 in shots, but the second half was more evenly contested as the Blue and Gold held a 5-4 edge in shots. Both teams battled hard in a half where it was difficult to get into a rhythm with 25 fouls called in the final 45 minutes of play. While each team had a few close calls, neither was able to get on the board, resulting in the 3-0 final score.
"I'm happy with the result tonight," Bohon continued. "We will definitely have our hands full with a really athletic and talented Concordia team."
The Eagles close out play in the Habitat for Humanity Invitational at 11 a.m. on Sunday when they take on No. 3 Concordia (Ore.). The Cavaliers won their first game of the tournament on Friday afternoon, topping Northwood 1-0. Before returning to action on Sunday, all four teams will work together on two local Habitat for Humanity projects on Saturday morning.
"We're looking forward to having a very special experience tomorrow working at the Habitat for Humanity project," Bohon stated. "This weekend represents a great combination of high level soccer and some really neat community service opportunities. I'm so grateful for Northwood Concordia and Kansas Wesleyan coming in and making this event special."
