SALISBURY, N.C. – The 15th-ranked Embry-Riddle women's soccer team suffered a tough loss in its season opener on Friday, falling to No. 13 Catawba (1-0) 3-2 at the Frock Athletic Complex. The Eagles took a 2-1 lead midway through the second half, but conceded a pair of penalty kicks inside the last 16 minutes of play to fall to 0-1 on the year.
The Indians had the first chances of the game, testing ERAU netminder
Oona Jokinen twice in the first 5:22 of the game. Jokinen collected her first save of the season off an Ella Matthews shot and the Eagles immediately went on the offensive. The ball made its way to
Lauryn Mateo who did the hard work of eluding a pair of Catawba defenders, but her attempt sailed just wide of the net.
Embry-Riddle had the better of the shot attempts in the first 45 minutes of play, besting the Indians 7-3, while Catawba held a 4-3 edge in corner kicks, but neither team was able to capitalize on its chances, resulting in a scoreless tie at the half.
A relatively quiet first half transitioned to a high-octane second with both teams combining for 19 shots in the frame.
Catawba struck first courtesy of a Kelly Havens free kick in the 63rd minute, but the Eagles answered less than three minutes later.
At the 63:57 mark,
Lauryn Mateo was fouled outside the box. Freshman
Wilma Bergman took the free kick from the left side and her attempt glanced off a Catawba player and into the far side netting to level the score at 1-1
Five minutes later, the Eagles scored again to overtake the home side.
Berglind Thrastardottir's cross from the right side made its way to
Hattie Kettle on the far post and the senior delivered the go-ahead goal with 18:21 remaining in the game.
The Indians got their second goal after the referee awarded a penalty. Jokinen stopped a Matthews' attempt once again, but Kylie Morin managed to get to the rebound and slotted the ball home to tie the score at 2-2.
With less than five minutes showing on the clock, the referee whistled the Eagles for another foul inside the box. This time Jokinen was unable to get to the ball as Lillie Rusher scored to seal the win for the Indians.
The Eagles are back in action on Sunday, closing out their trip to North Carolina with a 1 p.m. tilt against Chowan.
The 2024 Embry-Riddle women's soccer season is presented by Radiology Associates.
