SOUTHFIELD, Mich. - The Lawrence Tech women's soccer team fell to the University of Saint Francis (Ind.) 5-1 on Aug. 27 at the LTU Athletic Field.
Lawrence Tech (2-1) played the majority of the first-half on defense as Saint Francis pushed the tempo, attacking for most of the first 45 minutes.
The Blue Devils Alexandra Bryden (JR/Canton, MI) had one of the team's few chances on net in the first-half. Bryden's free kick in the 23rd minute made the goalkeeper work for the save as she fumbled the ball and recovered it inside the six-yard box with Blue Devils swarming the net.
Saint Francis (1-0) was able to take advantage of their opportunities as Nicole Stephan scored on an unassisted goal in the 39th minute. Stephan took the shot from 40 yards out, deflecting off the goalkeeper and into the net to give Saint Francis a 1-0 lead.
The Cougars did not take long to make it a 2-0 lead as Heather Jones notched her first goal of the season in the 41st minute on a chip shot over the Blue Devils Heather Derstine (SO/Midland, MI).
Saint Francis outshot Lawrence Tech 11-3 in the first half.
Following a third goal by the Cougars, the Blue Devils string of bad luck continued as Saint Francis was awarded a penalty kick after a rough tackle by Lawrence Tech inside the box. Summer Holtkamp took the penalty for the Cougars and got it past the keeper for a 4-0 lead.
Lawrence Tech finally hit the back of the net in the 58th minute on a Claire Huddas (JR/Canton, MI) blast from 25 yards out that hit the top corner of the net to cut the lead to 4-1.
Saint Francis was not done scoring as Mackenzie Starcevich scored her first of the season on a shot within the six yard box to beat Derstine low on the far side.
Lawrence Tech was outshot 23-10 by Saint Francis. Bryden, Celeste Scott (SO/Dryden, MI) and Lisa Zaffina (JR/Waterford, MI) all finished the game with two shots. Derstine recorded three saves.
Saint Francis finished the game with five saves, while Sammy Scaingelli finished with one save and Morgan Harmon finished with four saves.
The Blue Devils return to the pitch on Sept. 3 when they face Goshen (Ind.) College at 5 pm at the LTU Athletic Field.
