FULTON, Mo. -- The William Woods University women's soccer team fell in its home opener, losing 2-3 to Central Methodist on Wednesday evening.
Jamie Palermo (Santa Fe, N.M.) and
Jordan McNamara (Blue Springs, Mo.) each picked up a goal and an assist for the Owls, but it wouldn't be enough.
The Owls fell behind early in the match, as Kelsey Vanzant struck in the fourth minute for the Lady Eagles. Christine Ehrmann found Vanzant on the left corner of the 18-yard box, and she hit a low shot to the far post that just barely eluded a diving
Kelly Abernathy (St. Charles, Mo.).
William Woods would equalize in the eighth minute, however, on a well-taken strike from Palermo. McNamara took on a pair of players in the penalty area, driving to the end line. As she found herself open, she cut and sent a cross across the mouth of the goal to a wide-open Palermo. The junior tapped the ball into the open net with the side of her left foot.
The complexion of the game was changed in the 14th minute as Central Methodist found itself lucky to still have 10 men on the field. WWU had a breakaway just to the right of goal and CMU's Brittany Andert came streaking out of her goal. About 20 yards out, the Lady Eagles goalkeeper slid to try to intercept the final touch from the Owls attacker. She missed the ball but clattered through the challenge, drawing an immediate whistle. The referee opted to show a caution to Andert instead of a red card, but WWU couldn't convert the ensuing free kick.
WWU would take a lead in the 31st minute, however, flipping the combination that was responsible for its first goal. Palermo found a streaking McNamara right in the center of the park, with the freshman calmly eluding a tackle and slotting the ball into the net.
The Owls took that lead into the half, but CMU came out with a vengeance in the second half. The Lady Eagles were able to equalize in the 81st minute and take the lead in the 85th, leaving William Woods to chase the game in the dying moments.
There would be no heroics, however, as the Owls couldn't mount a solid attack in the final five minutes.
WWU falls to 2-2 on the season and will return to the field on September 12 as they travel to Kansas City, Mo., to face Avila University. Kickoff for the match is set for 5 p.m.
