FULTON, Mo. – The William Woods University women's soccer team played its first match of the season at Firley Field on Wednesday evening but they were defeated by Central Methodist University, 3-0.
 
The Owls fall to 1-2-1 on the season. The Owls had three shots on goal but could not get past Ashleynn Freeman, who recorded the shutout for the Eagles.
 
WWU returns to action on Saturday, September 10th when they host Benedictine (Kan.). Kick-off is set for 6 p.m.  
 
Game Flow
William Woods looked to be getting the offensive attack early in the contest as Shelby Wiebe had a shot within the first five minutes of the game, but the shot got blocked by an Central Methodist defender.
 
A minute later, the Eagles countered and Lady Tiriat took a shot at Rebecca Sturgess, but the reigning AMC Defensive Player of the Week, recorded the save. Two minutes later, Central Methodist broke the scoreless tie as Tiriat took a pass from Nicki Noreen and beat Sturgess putting the Eagles ahead, 1-0.
 
Tiriat continued to keep the offensive pressure on for the Eagles as ten minutes after her goal, she fired another shot on goal and this time it was saved by Sturgess. Central Methodist continued to get shots on goal but Sturgess continued to record saves in the contest.
 
Late in the first half, Sturgess recorded two saves within a two minute stretch that kept the Owls down, 1-0.
 
William Woods had one more look at scoring in the first half as Taytum Boyd looked to have the Eagles beat for a goal, however, the Eagles made a tremendous team save to keep the Owls off the scoreboard. The Owls went into halftime trailing 1-0, to Central Methodist.
 
Central Methodist stretched its lead to 2-0 within the first 35 seconds of the second half as Judith Sainz beat Sturgess for the second goal of the game. Sainz took a pass for Tiriat for the insurance goal.
 
The Owls continued to attack and after an Eagles foul, Renee Meyer lined up for a free kick. Meyer took the kick and put it on goal but Ashlynn Freeman recorded the save. Three minutes later, Shelby Scanlan had a shot that went wide of the goal.
 
WWU continued trying to get its first goal in of the game as Alexis Willingham took a shot with just under 21 minutes left in the game. Her shot was saved by Freeman. Hailey LaCroix attempted a shot with 14:30 left in the game but her shot went wide.
 
With just over six and a half minutes left in the contest, the Eagles scored its third goal of the game as Jenna Hellebush beat Sturgess on a bass from Tiriat.
 
WWU continued to mount pressure on Central Methodist but could not get a goal and the Owls were defeated, 3-0, by Central Methodist.
 
By the Numbers
6 – The Owls attempted six shots in the contest
3 – WWU had three shots on goal in the loss
9 – Rebecca Sturgess recorded nine saves in the game against the Eagles
6 – Six different Owls recorded a shot in the contest