Grand Rapids, Mich. There comes a point in the season when protecting your position has to turn into taking the next step. With Madonna having all but officially locked up the WHAC regular-season championship, Aquinas entered Saturday's home match against Northwestern Ohio still chasing the No. 2 seed and the opportunity to bring postseason soccer to its own field through the finals. Two consecutive 1-1 ties, each carrying its share of frustration and unusual circumstances, had left the Saints looking for a breakthrough. The Maroon and White delivered the defensive effort to make that possible, but the winning touch remained elusive in a third consecutive draw.
Aquinas 0, UNOH 0
Claire Fogarty anchored the Saints with six saves Saturday, turning away every shot on target to keep Aquinas unbeaten in conference play. In a match that finished with each team recording nine shots and two corner kicks, the Saints created opportunities early and late but could not find the finish to separate themselves.
Savannah Reese supplied the first Aquinas attempt with a header over the crossbar in the ninth minute, and Bella Berry followed with a shot wide right. Khloe Koelling put the Saints' first shot on frame at 14:25, forcing a save from UNOH goalkeeper Sophia Eisner. Maeve Comfort helped generate additional pressure with two first-half corner kicks, and Julia Grzadkowska tested Eisner with a header at 20:12 before Berry's follow-up attempt was blocked.
At the other end, Fogarty answered her first significant test with two saves just 21 seconds apart in the 18th minute. She added stops at 28:54 and 34:32, giving the Saints four first-half saves and a clean sheet heading into the break. Aquinas held a 5-4 edge in shots through the opening 45 minutes, but neither side had found a way through.
Reegyn Cady sent an attempt wide left early in the second half as the Saints resumed their search for the opening goal. Reese forced another save at 56:07, giving Aquinas a second-half opportunity to move in front. Comfort, Reese, Cady and Katelynn Sterling each played the full 90 minutes in front of Fogarty, providing continuity as the match remained scoreless. Tia Rita Daher, Addyson Jacquemain and Grzadkowska also logged substantial minutes, while Raegan LaCross contributed 65 minutes off the bench.
The Saints received additional minutes from Lanee Lewkowski, Aubrey Phenicie, Kaelyn Tess, Izzy Orlandi, Amelia Kidd and Madeline Langlois throughout the contest. Fogarty made her fifth save at 70:12, then watched the Saints withstand a stretch that included two UNOH corner kicks and a blocked shot. Her final stop came at 79:49, preserving the shutout and giving Aquinas an opportunity to steal the result in the closing minutes.
Comfort's attempt was blocked at 85:58 as the Saints pushed for the breakthrough. Grzadkowska delivered Aquinas' final shot on target at 88:34, but Eisner made the save to deny a potential late winner. Grzadkowska finished with two shots on goal, while Reese and Berry each recorded two total attempts.
Aquinas stands at 7-3-3 overall and 4-0-3 in the WHAC, while Northwestern Ohio is 7-4-3 overall and 4-2-1 in conference play. The Saints share second place with Lawrence Tech, with both teams holding 15 points and two conference matches remaining. Madonna leads with 22 points, while UNOH sits fourth with 13 and Cornerstone follows with 12. The No. 2 seed remains within reach for Aquinas, but the final week will determine how much postseason advantage the Saints can secure.
Saints Snapshots
- Nothing conceded. Fogarty's six-save shutout gave the Saints the defensive foundation to stay in the match from the opening whistle through the final push.
- Still unbeaten in the WHAC. Seven conference matches have produced four wins and three ties, keeping Aquinas firmly in the race near the top.
- Ready for the long haul. Comfort, Reese, Cady and Sterling went the distance in front of Fogarty as the Saints held UNOH scoreless for 90 minutes.
- A chance until the end. Grzadkowska's shot on target with 1:26 remaining gave Aquinas one final opportunity to turn a hard-fought draw into a victory.
- Plenty left to earn. With Cornerstone and Madonna awaiting, the Saints enter the final week tied for second and facing two matches with direct postseason implications.
Coach's Comments
Following a third consecutive tie, head coach Mario Zuniga-Gil knows the Saints still have work to do. Aquinas remains unbeaten in WHAC play and tied for second, but turning competitive performances into victories remains the next step as the postseason approaches.
"I look at the whole season, and we've had some late goals that have cost us and we have to learn from it," Zuniga-Gil said. "Through all the ups and downs, we still have an opportunity to accomplish what we set out to do, and that's all you can ask for at this point in the season."
Up Next
The Saints begin the final week of the regular season with a short trip up the street to face crosstown rival Cornerstone at 7 p.m. Aquinas then heads to Livonia on Saturday to challenge WHAC regular-season champion-elect Madonna.
Be sure to visit AQSaints.com for live statistics and complete postgame coverage of Aquinas women's soccer and all other Saints sports.
