GREEN BAY, Wis. (GreenBayPhoenix.com)– The Green Bay women's soccer team opened their first regular season game of the 2018 campaign this evening at the new Aldo Santaga Stadium against the Valparaiso Crusaders (1-0-0). Despite falling 2-1, the Phoenix (0-1-0) took the honor of scoring the first official goal at the stadium.
 
After a tightly contested first half with not a single goal scored, Green Bay burst back onto the scene going into the third minute of the second half. Thanks to a foul on Valpo, senior Brianna Messner took the free kick from about 30 feet away from the goal, sending it to the middle to freshman McKayla Kertscher, who put the ball back into the right corner of the goal with her head. To watch, check out the video below:


 
Overall, the Crusaders played more aggressively, which was underscored with more shots on goal and more fouls than the Phoenix. Valpo ended up with two yellow cards in the second half, giving Green Bay plenty of advantages through penalty kicks, one of which was the home team's goal. However, they also had 10 shots on goals to the Phoenix's 4, showing that their offensive line was strong and ready to go, and their persistence ended up with a goal of their own late in the game.
 
Kertscher led the way for the Phoenix today, with one goal, one shot on goal, and three shots to her name. She had multiple drives up the middle of the field, showing the freshman's already blossoming talent. She is followed by Messner, with two shots, one shot on goal, and the assist. Besides those two, freshman Xoe Etling and senior Alycia Wright also had two shots each.
 
Goalkeeper Courtney Klatt played well tonight, with 8 saves total, but an unfortunate own goal shook the score after the Phoenix were already leading 1-0.
 
GOAL SUMMARY
47' | GB | Kertscher (Assist: Messner) Messner booted a ball down the opponent's side of the field to Kertscher, who turned and headed the ball into the back of the net.
 
62' | VALPO | (Green Bay Own Goal) The ball was kicked backward toward the goalie, but the ball bounced high and went over the goalie and into the net.
 
82' | VALPO | Ava Porlier (Assist: Keegan Maris) After several attempts, Maris sent the ball into the middle for Porlier, who crossed the ball behind the goalie and into the right-hand corner of the back of the goal.
 
STARTING XI
Green Bay: 1-Klatt (GK), 6-Minor, 7-Messner, 9-Sanchez, 10-Kertscher, 12-Courier, 13-Etling, 16-Pfeilstifter, 17-Katzenberger, 20-Wright, 25-Benzschawel
 
Valpo: 1-Gesell (GK), 2-Griffith, 4-Johnson, 7-Oliver, 8-Jahn, 15-Schneider, 21-Maris, 25-Quillen, 26-Broecker, 28-Kontul, 35-Griffin
 
NEXT MATCH
Opponent: vs. North Dakota State
Location: Green Bay, Wis. (Aldo Santaga Stadium)
Date: Saturday, August 19
Time: 1:00 p.m.
 
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