Lady Warriors Take Opening Match Victory over Swedes
| Final | 1 | 2 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Bethany (KS) (0-4-1, 0-1-0) | 0 | 0 | 0 |
|
Sterling (4-1-0, 1-0-0) | 1 | 2 | 3 |
Sterling, Kan. – The Lady Warrior soccer team played their first KCAC game of the season against the Bethany College Swedes on Wednesday. The Lady Warriors took their home opener with a 3-0 victory.
The Warriors played defensive for the first 15 minutes before getting the nerves out and playing more to their pace. Once the momentum shifted, it really turned in favor of the Warriors. In the 27', Jessica Gautreau got Sterling on the board. Gautreau controlled a ball put in play from the keeper and used her speed to dribble through the defense and get an open look at the goal and she placed it in the back of the net. For the rest of the half, Sterling spent most of its time on the offensive half of the field. After 45 minutes of play, Sterling held a 1-0 lead.
In the second half, Sterling gave up some opportunities, but almost always recovered. Keeper, Shay Gibbs, cleaned up anything that was left behind, as she has done for the last three years. Sterling scored two more security goals in the last 20 minutes of play. Gautreau got her second goal of the game, and 9th of the season, on a free kick in the 74'. Emma Bartha tacked on the final goal of the game with a Penalty Kick opportunity. It is Bartha's second career goal at Sterling. Sterling finished with a 3-0 shutout to open KCAC play.
Gautreau and Bartha carried the Warrior offense, while Gibbs got the clean sheet win with 6 saves. Bethany outshot Sterling 12-11 and doubled the Warriors in corner kicks, 6-3.
Sterling travels to Leavenworth, Kan. on Saturday to take on the University of Saint Mary Spires at 5:30 pm. You can keep track of the game by watching the livestats from www.scwarriors.com or watching the livestream on the Sterling College Sports Network.
Be sure to check for news and updates on Sterling Warrior Athletics on Facebook (/SCWarriors), Twitter (@SterlingCSports), and Instagram (sterlingcsports), as well as the hashtag #SwordsUp. Watch the Warriors' live home events on the Sterling College Sports Network.
