The #12 Aquinas women's soccer team handed Madonna its first loss of the season on Saturday afternoon (Oct. 23) in Livonia, Michigan. The Saints scored two goals in the first half and withstood a late push by the Crusaders to take the 2-1 victory at the MU Soccer Field.

Aquinas' overall record improves to 14-1-1 on the season with a 8-0-1 WHAC record, while Madonna's record drops to 12-1-1 overall and 6-1-1 in the WHAC. The Saints distanced themselves in the WHAC standings, now holding a game and a half lead over the Crusaders for first place. This win was the first time facing MU since the WHAC Tournament Championship last season, where AQ fell 2-1 in overtime. This is also the third time this season that Aquinas has beaten a team that was either ranked or receiving votes in the top-25 poll with two of them coming in the past week.

The offensive firepower on the day came from Ariana Garcia as she scored both goals for the Saints in the win. The first goal came in the 22nd minute as she buried a penalty kick right inside the right post. Her sixth goal of the season was unassisted and a beauty. Garcia's second game winning goal of the season came after she won possession from Madonna, defeated the defender, and placed the shot in the top right corner from 30 yards out. 

After Aquinas took the 2-0 lead into halftime, the Crusaders made things interesting late in the second half as Mary Philimona scored with just under five minutes remaining. The Saints were able to hold off MU, gaining the 2-1 win.

Tairyn Webb (10-1-0) won her seventh straight start in net by making one save and allowing one goal. Alex Thomas made six saves in the loss for the Crusaders after giving up two goals.

The Saints took 20 total shots with eight being on net as the Crusaders attempted six shots with two of them being on net. AQ had eight attempts at a corner kick compared to MU's two, while Aquinas committed nine fouls to Madonna's five.

Aquinas will continue WHAC play by playing its final regular season road game against Siena Heights in Adrian, Michigan on Wednesday (Oct. 27), with kick-off scheduled for 7:00 PM.