Grand Rapids, Mich. – AQ's No. 4-ranked women's soccer team battled the (RV) University of Northwestern Ohio (UNOH) Racers on Saturday afternoon in what would be one of the Saints' toughest matches of the season. The Racers were one of the only teams in the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC) to give Aquinas trouble last season and that remained true today. However, this time, the Saints managed to get the best of UNOH after a late penalty kick from Maeva Lichtensteiger, which gave the Saints a 1-0 victory.

The result improves Aquinas to an incredible 9-0 record this season as the Saints stand alone at the top of the WHAC with a 6-0 conference record.

#4 Aquinas 1, #RV UNOH 0

UNOH nearly found the back of the net instantly, putting a shot off the post just three minutes into the game. The contest was evenly matched from the start with both teams pressuring the opposing defense. Both Kayla Shuk and the UNOH goalkeeper were called into action several times throughout the first half, but between strong defensive play and goalkeeper performances, the game remained scoreless.

Aquinas appeared to be in position to take the lead after launching a counterattack in the 33rd minute, but Sophia Eisner of UNOH made three back-to-back saves and kept AQ off the scoreboard. The first-half offense quieted down a bit following the flurry of saves, but Shuk was needed once more at the end of the first half to go into halftime level at 0-0.

The back-and-forth drama continued into the second half as Aquinas nearly took the lead in the 5^6th minute, but the goal was called off due to an offsides call. The defense tightened up following the near-goal on both sides. That nearly changed in the 78th minute when the Racers appeared to have finally scored, but that goal was called off due to a foul.

After two called-off goals, both teams were looking to find the one goal that would be needed to break the draw. Madison Slezinski challenged the keeper in the 81st minute but was fouled in the process, leading to an all-important penalty kick for the Saints. Aquinas put Lichtensteiger on the spot to score the potential game-winner and she delivered, calmly putting the ball into the net for the lead.

AQ defended off a couple of cross attempts by UNOH over the final eight minutes to hold on for the 1-0 victory.

By the Numbers

• Lichtensteiger's goal was her ninth of the season and the 25th point of her impressive 2024 campaign.
• Shuk showcased why she is one of the best goalkeepers in the conference with a perfect six-for-six save performance.
• The contest was extremely even, with both teams totaling 13 shots. AQ had one more shot on target, leading UNOH 7-6.
• Aquinas also led UNOH in corners (4-3).
• AQ's historic WHAC regular season dominance now extends to 56 games. AQ has not lost a conference regular season game since UNOH beat AQ in 2019.

Up Next

The Saints are back on the road on Wednesday (Oct. 9) to take on Lawrence Tech. That game is scheduled to begin at 7:00 p.m. at Blue Devils Stadium.