Box Score Grand Rapids, MI – The Aquinas women's soccer team needed a win badly and they were able to secure one on Saturday during Homecoming festivities in front of a packed crowd. The Saints ended a three-game losing skid with a 3-0 win over Madonna in the WHAC opener.
Aquinas 3, Madonna 0
The Saints started fast and pressured the visiting Crusaders early and often en route to posting season-highs in shots (25) and shots on goal (10).
Despite several early scoring chances that couldn't find the back of the net, Aquinas finally broke through in the 41st minute.
Abigail Kramer lofted a shot over the keeper's head and into the top left corner of the net to give the Saints a 1-0 advantage.
The Saints kept attacking in the second half and created breathing room by adding a pair of goals in a 12-minute span.
In the 57th minute, Catherine Hoff headed a shot in off one of Aquinas' eight corner kicks. Emily Gignac recorded the assist on the play
Kiersen Korienek produced the final tally off a shot that hit the top of the crossbar and caromed in.
It was Aquinas' first game this season that wasn't decided by a single goal and its first win since the season opener last month.
The three goals were also a season-high for the Saints.
Keeper Kayla Shuk had six saves to earn her second shutout of the season, while Hoff and Savannah Reese led the Saints with four shots each.
Inside the Numbers
- The Saints outshot Madonna 25-6, including 12-1 in the first half, and had 10 shots on goal.
- Keeper Kayla Shuk posted a shutout with six saves.
- Corners: Aquinas (8), Madonna (1)
- Eight substitutes entered the game for Aquinas.
- The Saints have now won seven games in a row against Madonna.
Coach's Comments
Head Coach Jenna Smith was thrilled with her team's performance on Homecoming: "It feels great because it is Homecoming and we like to put on a show for all the people and all the alumni that come back. The team needed it because they were a little down, but it was good to start conference play with a win. We are turning a new page now going into conference play and we are on a good note now so hopefully we can keep it going."
Up Next
The Saints (2-3, 1-0 WHAC) are back at home Wednesday night to face Cornerstone University in WHAC play. Game time is 7 p.m. Fans are encouraged to visit AQSaints.com throughout the weekend for live stats, stories, and recaps.
NOTE: Dean Holzwarth, serving as the Senior AQSaints Athletics Reporter & Content Specialist for AQSaints.com, brings decades of journalistic precision and storytelling flair to the Saints' media efforts. Previously, he covered high school sports for five years at Grand Rapids–based WOOD-TV, following a 16-year tenure in sports reporting with the Grand Rapids Press and MLive. His deep experience in capturing the heartbeat of local athletics now fuels his engaging coverage of Aquinas College sports.
