GREEN BAY, Wis. (GreenBayPhoenix.com) – The women's soccer team opened its 2018 schedule with a home exhibition game against the Marquette Golden Eagles, also hosting the first official game on Green Bay's new turf field at the new Aldo Santaga Stadium. After a 40-minute lightning delay, the Phoenix fought to the end of the evening, eventually falling 0-2.
 
Despite the two-goal deficit, the match was more tightly contested than the score reflects. After an early goal by the Golden Eagles, the Green Bay women worked their defensive line for most of the first half. In the second half, the Phoenix picked up the pace, keeping the ball on the opposite side of the field with efforts that usually reflect a more seasoned squad.
 
There were several fresh faces on the field, including freshmen McKayla Kertscher and Xoe Etling, each playing all 90 minutes of the match. Kertscher also recorded two shots, the most for the Phoenix roster, while newcomer Alycia Wright and returners Payton Benzschawel, Kendra Wolfgram, and Nicole Piette tallied one shot each.
 
Goalkeeper Courtney Klatt had an impressive number of saves throughout the game while facing a tough Marquette offense. The opposition totaled nearly ten shots total, while only two managed to slip by in rather tough circumstances.
 
GOAL SUMMARY
9' | MU | Carrie Madden (Assist: Emily Hess) Hess crossed to the center from the left, where a player 5 feet from the goal turned the ball and sent it past the goalie and into the net.
 
89' | MU | Around 15 feet in front of the goal, Klatt battled with a Golden Eagle, kicking the ball away from her. However, the ball bounced off of the opponent's shin, sending it behind the goalie and in front of the open goal, where the opposing player took the opportunity to run around Klatt and solidify Marquette's win.
 
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
 
Marquette: 0-Henry (GK), 2-E.Hess, 7-Jaeger, 14-Kutey, 20-Monticello, 21-Madden, 22-A.Hess, 24-Wetherell, 25- Celarek, 29-Jacobson, 30-Bugay
 
NEXT MATCH
Opponent: vs. Viterbo
Location: Green Bay, Wis. (Aldo Santaga Stadium)
Date: Thursday, August 9
Time: 1 p.m. CT
 
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