Sophomore Bridget Brendza kicks the ball away from Oberlin in the team’s game on Sept. 26.
REBECA BAGDOCIMO / THE DEPAUW
The DePauw University women’s soccer team travelled to Ohio this past Saturday to challenge and defeat Kenyon 1-0 in their second conference contest of the season.
“Conditions were not ideal to say the least,” junior goalie Riley Riordan said, “but despite the rain, muddy field and wind, we were focused from warm up until the final minute.”
In the first 45 minutes of play, neither team was able to get the ball into the back of the net. The game remained scoreless going into halftime.
Sophomore forward Bridget Brendza agreed with Riordan and thought the team excelled in playing around the conditions.
“We did a great job of looking beyond the weather and field conditions and focused on the game,” she said. “The whole team played great defense and connected well all over the field, which procured another win.”
Senior Tiger midfielder Caroline Zadina was credited with the matchup’s only goal off a header, late in the 70th minute of play.
“We came out strong, playing the game we know how to play,” said Riordan. “We stay composed when we were under pressure and stayed positive when the ball wasn’t going our way.”
The Tigers (5-4-1) were outshot by the Ladies (7-5-0), but that did not stop the Tigers from coming out on top. Riordan stayed busy in the box recording 10 saves in the team’s shutout, improving her personal record as well as the team’s.
“Moving forward, we need to take one game at a time, play our style of soccer and remember to have fun every step of the journey,” Riordan said.
Brendza echoed similar sentiments.
“Our strong work ethic on the field needs to continue for us to remain undefeated in upcoming conference matches,” Brendza said.
The women travel to face Illinois Wesleyan on Wednesday night. They return home to face the Terriers in NCAC play in Reavis Stadium at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday.