Wright State University Women's Soccer team earns their first win in the Horizon League as they make their return to Alumni Field.
Saturday Sept. 19 was the conference opener for the Wright State women's soccer team who took down the Robert Morris University (RMU) Colonials in a 1-0 game.
The Raiders and the Colonials played an aggressive game, earning multiple fouls and cards on each side.
The first cards were given to each team with WSU’s #29 Olivia Stroud, and RMU’s #20 Shauna Gamble getting into a shoving match after the players got tripped up battling to win the ball. The remaining cards of the game were given to WSU players #24 Aerial Fast and #33 Caitlyn Burger. One card was also given to the WSU team during a coaching interaction in the second half.
Head Coach Travis Sobers talks about the team earning their first conference game.
“In our league it's real competitive and in the last few years, it's come down to two to three points to the deciding teams. So to bag points this early, especially at home, is really important,” Sobers said.
With a scoreless game going into the second half, both teams were desperate to make something happen.
The Raiders were hungry enough to make it happen with a goal by #14 forward Chloe Dunford, assisted by Stroud and Burger making the score 1-0 for WSU.
Following the Raider goal, the Colonials took endless shots on goal trying to tie up the game. However, WSU goalkeeper Leigha Lauer was not letting them pass her.
Lauer was selected as the Horizon League Defensive Player of the Week after her performance.
“Lauer recorded her second shutout of the season in Saturday’s league opener, she started and played all 90 minutes in-between the posts for the Raiders, [she also] totaled six saves in the win over RMU,” the Horizon League said here.
Going forward into the season, WSU will continue conference play with their next match in Indianapolis against IU Indy on Thursday, Sept. 24, in hopes of continuing a streak.
“If we can match the intensity of a team, if we have that energy, the soccer is going to take care of itself because I believe we have a group that can put the ball down and play,” Sobers said.
The Raiders will then return home on Thursday, Oct. 1, at 7 p.m. to take on the Green Bay University Phoenix. Fans can also stream this match on ESPN+.
