By Evan Doan, Reporter
Savannah Reese celebrates after goal vs Cornerstone University – Photo by Evan Doan & Grace Malec
After a tough out of conference schedule, the Saints have found their footing in Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference play starting with a 4-1 record. The Saints are looking to win the WHAC regular season title for a sixth straight year and ninth overall time.
The Saints opened conference play on homecoming against the Madonna University Crusaders. The Saints posted a season high 25 shots in the contest and were able to break through the Crusader’s defense in the 41st minute when Abigail Kramer found the back of the net. Catherine Hoff and Kiersen Korienek would add to the total in the second half to push the final score to 3-0 Aquinas.
Aquinas attempted to make it two in a row in a mid-week matchup against Cornerstone University Golden Eagles. After a scoreless first half, the Saints took the lead in the 46th minute when Savannah Reese would score off a rebound for her first goal of the season. The Golden Eagles would respond minutes later when they converted a penalty kick to knot the scoring at 1-1, but the Saint’s response was immediate. Catherine Hoff would blast one from close to midfield for her second goal in as many games and give the Saints the lead 2-1. The Saint’s defense would take it from there, limiting the Golden Eagles to just two shots the rest of the game.
Women’s Soccer celebrates after goal vs Lawrence Tech University – Photo by Evan Doan & Grace Malec
The Saints faced their toughest test, a road game at ranked 21st Northwestern Ohio. Defense dominated the first half highlighted by goalkeeper Kayla Shuk who stopped a penalty kick to keep the game scoreless going into half. Northwestern Ohio would strike first in the 56th minute to take the lead 1-0 and to this point the Saint’s offense had struggled managing only one shot, but their next shot would find the back of the net when Kiersen Korienek would convert Emily Gignac’s pass for the equalizer. 12 minutes later Reegyn Cady would deliver the game winning goal after stealing the ball from a Racer defender. “This team is just resilient and scrappy,” head coach Jenna Smith said, “They don’t ever give up regardless of the score.”
Aquinas returned home last Wednesday to face Lawrence Tech University. Aquinas would put the pressure on early and often, but were left searching for their first goal going into half time. The Blue Devil’s defense finally broke in the 85th minute when Kiersen Korienek punched one of her eight shots past the goalkeeper to seal the game for the Saints. “The conference is in their hands,” Jenna Smith said when asked about her confidence in the team moving forward.
The Saints stumbled Saturday against Lourdes dropping the game 1-0 for their first conference loss of the season. They will look to bounce back on the road against University of Michigan Dearborn Wednesday, Oct. 8.
Joy Reams shoots the ball vs Lawrence Tech University – Photo by Evan Doan & Grace Malec
The Saint 