By: Andrew Gavin (@GBGavin)
GreenBayPhoenix.com

GREEN BAY, Wis. (GreenBayPhoenix.com) - Sophomore keeper Katy Pilarzyk (Madison, Wis.) and a young Green Bay (3-6-0) defense hung tough, but a late goal by visiting Detroit (4-4-1) left the Phoenix with a 1-0 loss in the Horizon League women's soccer opener at Aldo Santaga Stadium.

Pilarzyk made eight saves in the game, including seven in the second half, helping to keep the Titans off the scoreboard for most of the afternoon. Pilarzyk's last save, stopping Alyssa Riley's shot from in close off a corner kick, led to the Titan game-winning goal. The rebound went to Abby McCollum, who scored from just a few yards out for an 85th minute goal and a 1-0 lead.

Making her ninth start in nine game this season for the Phoenix, Pilarzyk teamed with a defensive backline full of freshmen to keep the Titans at bay, but the Phoenix offense could not get it going.

The best chance of the game for the home team came in the 11th minute, when sophomore Emily Friedl (Kenosha, Wis.), made a move to free herself and send a cross into the box. Hannah Kernen (Belleville, Wis.) got a decent header on the cross, but her attempt could not get over the arms of Titan keeper Nora Abolins.

Freshman Maria Lillge (Appleton, Wis.) came off the bench in the second half and made a beautiful strike from outside the box in the 64th minute, but Abolins made another nice save.

Green Bay plays one home game and one road game next weekend. The Phoenix will travel to Wright State for a Horizon League game on Friday night at 3 p.m. CT before hosting a non-conference tilt against Indiana State at 12 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 30.

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