ATCHISON, Kan. – The William Woods University women's soccer team dropped its season opener, 3-0, to No. 4 Benedictine College on Saturday night.
 
WWU was outshot by the Ravens, 20-2, in the contest. The Owls goalkeeper Rebecca Sturgess recorded eight saves in the contest. Shelby Scanlan and Aurora Henriksen recorded one shot each for the Owls.
 
The Owls return to action on Wednesday, August 30th when they travel to Fayette, Missouri to face Central Methodist University in a non-conference contest. Kickoff is set for 5 p.m.
 
Game Flow
The Ravens offense came out putting pressure on the Owls defense as in the first minute and a half, Benedictine's Madison Sanders had a shot go wide of goal. Five minutes later, Emily Ambuul had a shot on goal and Sturgess recorded the save.
 
Shelby Scanlan got the first shot for the Owls with 28:54 left in the first half. Scanlan fired a shot that went wide of goal. It was the only shot for the Owls the in half.
 
Late in the first half, Ambuul had a breakaway on the Owls. Her shot was saved by Sturgess. Sturgess did not control the rebound after making the save and the ball went to Natalie Duque and again Sturgess made another save keeping the game scoreless. The Owls and Ravens went into halftime scoreless.
 
Benedictine scored the first goal of the game four minutes into the second half. Anna Romano fired a shot on goal, which Sturgess saved but she did not control the save and Abbie Hair came in and got the rebound and scored.
 
Ten minutes later, the Ravens added to its lead. Ambuul scored the second goal of the game putting the Ravens ahead 2-0.
 
William Woods continued to battle and with 24:10 left in the half, Aurora Henriksen had a shot that went high of goal.
 
Benedictine added one more goal in the contest and the Owls did not get another scoring chance and the Owls were defeated, 3-0, by the Ravens.
 
By the Numbers
9 – WWU recorded nine saves in the contest
2 – William Woods tallied two shots in the contest
8 – Rebecca Sturgess recorded eight saves in the contest
1 – Shelby Scanlan and Aurora Henriksen collected one shot each
3 – The Owls allowed three goals in the season opener