Box Score Grand Rapids, Mich. — The No. 6-ranked Aquinas women's soccer team began their 2024 season on Friday (Aug. 23rd) at the AQ Athletic Field. The opening contest saw a top-15 national match up against the No. 14-ranked Bees of SCAD-Savannah. The first half saw a lot of back-and-forth action between the two sides, but neither managed to find their way into the net. However, the Saints found their hum as the second half came to a start as AQ notched two goals in less than 60 seconds. These two goals cemented the Saints on top as they finished out the game 2-0 to take home a nationally-ranked win in week one. 

#6 Aquinas 2, #14 SCAD-Savannah 0

The Saints started the game swiftly as they began to test the conditioning of the Bees, but SCAD proved to be competitive and matched AQ in a back-and-forth that went on for the remainder of the half. Aquinas found several opportunities, but were unable to drive in a score. The scoreboard stood still at zero to zero as the half came to a close. 

Aquinas came out of the locker room reenergized at half and reentered play hot. Maeva Lichtensteiger found a cross from Marie-Louise Abild just over three minutes into the second half to break the deadlock, bringing the Saints ahead 1-0 with their first goal of the season. 

AQ's reenergized nature turned into sparks after breaking into the net as, just 51 seconds later, the Saints had done it again. This time, Brittney Probst tapped in a combination of passes from Laia Cunill and Lichtensteiger.

The remainder of the contest saw Aquinas push the Bees back into defense, but no more AQ goals would be found. SCAD-Savannah managed to turn the tide and find several paths towards the goal, but were unable to find the sweet spot. 

As the final horn sounded, AQ had defeated the Bees 2-0 to start off their season with a big first win. 

By the Numbers

• This is the first time the two teams have met in program history. 
• On the score sheet, the teams seem even matched, as AQ collected 12 shots to SCAD's 11.
• The teams evened out on corners with five a piece. 
• Keeper Kayla Shuk continued her goalie prowess with six breath stealing saves. This shutout gives Shuk her 28th shutout victory as a Saint. This victory also ties Shuk to the most soccer career wins in program history by tying Braeleigh McCoy's record of 36 games.
• These shutouts are also due to the iron gate that is the Aquinas defense found in Ingrid Hentemann, Avery Tack, and Bridget Sherman.
• Probst earns her 10th goal in the AQ uniform, Cunill notches her 26th assist, and Lichtensteiger tallies her 33rd goal and 11th assist with having a touch in both goals in the contest. 

Up Next

The No. 6 Saints will take the action on the road next week on Wednesday (Aug. 28th) to take on No. 16 Indiana Wesleyan.