NORTHFIELD, Minn. – A goal early in the second half off a corner kick sent visiting Wartburg College to a 1-0 victory over the St. Olaf College women's soccer team in the season opener for both teams on Thursday afternoon at Rolf Mellby Field.
With the game still scoreless, Gabby Corday headed the ball home from in front following a corner kick in the 55th minute for the lone goal of the game for Wartburg (1-0-0). The Knights held St. Olaf (0-1-0) scoreless behind a four-save shutout from Marissa Lopez. Both teams had four shots on goal in the game.
First years Cat Duffy-Shaw and Clara Kubis had the best two chances of the opening half for the Oles, drawing saves from Lopez in the 18th minute and 27th minute, respectively. Neither team was able to find a goal in the opening 45 minutes, as the teams went into the break scoreless.
Early in the second half, Wartburg capitalized on its first of seven second-half corner kicks, as Lauren Kirkle's corner eventually found the head of Corday in front of the goal to break the deadlock. St. Olaf's best scoring chance of the second half fell to junior Reiley Prueter in the 75th minute, but her shot following a cutback from senior Mae Guetschow flew just over the bar.
In her first-career start, junior Maddie Black made three saves in the loss for the Oles. Lopez collected the win with a four-save afternoon. The Knights, who qualified for the NCAA Tournament for the fourth-straight season a year ago, held a narrow 11-10 edge in shots but earned 10 of the game's 11 corner kicks.
The game was St. Olaf's first under first-year head coach Becky Maines. The Oles are back in action at home against UW-Stevens Point on Sunday, Sept. 4 at 1 p.m.