FULTON, Mo. – The William Woods University women's soccer team dropped its home opener on Wednesday evening, as Culver-Stockton College defeated the Owls, 1-0.
 
The game-winning-goal was scored by Makkel Parrott in the first half. The Owls were outshot 16-10 in the contest. Rebecca Sturgess recorded six saves in the match. Aurora Henriksen led the Owls with five shots.
 
WWU returns to action on Sunday, September 10th when they host Southwestern Christian University at Firley Field. Kickoff is set for 1:30 p.m.
 
Game Flow
The Owls came out looking to score early in the contest as Aurora Henriksen had a shot on goal in the first six minutes of the contest, but Kehley Bitzas recorded the save for the Wildcats.
 
Following Henriksen's shot, Culver-Stockton's offense started to get in a groove and they had three shots on goal that Sturgess recorded saves on. The shots continued to come for the Wildcats as Maggie Houska missed a shot high with 18:24 left in the first half.
 
With 15:06 left in the first half, Culver-Stockton scored the lone goal of the contest. Makkel Parrott took a pass from Leah Miller and beat Sturgess for a goal. WWU trailed 1-0 at halftime.
 
Culver-Stockton looked to add to its lead early in the second half but both shots they had in the first 14 minutes of the second half went wide or high. WWU offense then started to pick up momentum. After Jenna Vogt's was blocked Leah Bonugli had a shot on goal that was saved.
 
Bonugli came back three minutes later with another shot on goal, and again Bitzas recorded the save. Henriksen came back with a shot wide and the Owls trailed 1-0 with 24:27 left in the half.
 
WWU had one more shot on goal in the contest when Alex Langford fired a shot on goal late in the contest that Bitzas saved and the Owls fell 1-0 to the Wildcats of Culver-Stockton.
 
By the Numbers
10 – WWU had ten shots in the contest
5 – The Owls had five shots on goal
6 – Rebecca Sturgess made six saves in the contest
5 – Aurora Henriksen led the Owls with five shots
2 – Leah Bonugli and Henriksen led the Owls with two shots on goal