ST. MARY’S CITY, Md. – The St. Mary’s College of Maryland Women’s Soccer Team (7-1-1) claimed a hard-fought 1-0 win against the Elizabethtown College Blue Jays (4-2-1) in a non-conference matchup. The victory marked the Seahawks’ seventh win of the season and their sixth clean sheet.
Early Strike Seals Victory
The Seahawks wasted no time getting on the scoreboard, taking an early lead thanks to a stunning goal from Ashlyn Bonner. Just a few minutes into the match, Bonner dribbled into open space and launched a shot from outside the bottom corner of the box. The ball sailed into the top right corner of the goal, leaving the Blue Jays’ goalkeeper with no chance to stop it.
With Bonner’s second goal of the season, St. Mary’s gained a 1-0 advantage that would last through the final whistle.
Dominant First Half Performance
St. Mary’s dominated much of the first half, outshooting Elizabethtown 7-4. The Seahawks’ aggressive attack was matched by a solid defensive performance led by goalkeeper Kyleigh Bland. Bland made four crucial saves in the opening half, ensuring St. Mary’s maintained their lead going into the break.
The Seahawks’ cohesive defense kept the Blue Jays from gaining any real offensive momentum in the first half, with St. Mary’s holding strong against counter-attacks and set pieces.
Seahawks Push for More in the Second Half
The second half saw more offensive pressure from St. Mary’s as they continued to seek a second goal to cushion their lead. In the 56th minute, a flurry of shots from Gracie Tourangeau, Allie Petryszak, and Brooke Hall nearly doubled the Seahawks’ advantage, but the Blue Jays’ defense managed to block each attempt.
Despite narrowly missing out on a second goal, St. Mary’s continued to outshoot Elizabethtown, finishing the second half with an 8-7 shot advantage. Tourangeau led the offensive charge with five shots on the day.
Defense Holds Strong
While St. Mary’s offense pressed for more, the defense remained resolute in protecting their slim 1-0 lead. Bland and the Seahawks’ backline continued to thwart Elizabethtown’s advances, limiting their chances and preventing any clear shots on goal in the closing moments.
Elizabethtown’s late-game push for an equalizer was ultimately unsuccessful, and the Seahawks secured their sixth clean sheet of the season, with Bland’s commanding presence in goal serving as a key factor in the victory.
Inside the Box Score
- Ashlyn Bonner recorded her second goal of the season, scoring the game’s only goal early in the first half.
- Gracie Tourangeau led the Seahawks with five shots, putting continuous pressure on the Blue Jays’ defense.
- St. Mary’s registered 15 total shots compared to Elizabethtown’s 11, showing their attacking prowess throughout the game.
- Kyleigh Bland made four crucial saves, preserving the shutout for the Seahawks.
Up Next for the Seahawks
The Seahawks will look to build on this momentum as they prepare for their next match. St. Mary’s will face Marymount University on September 25 at 6:00 PM in Arlington, VA, in another non-conference showdown.
