Cougars Fall to Roosevelt Despite Herculean Defensive Effort

(Howell, MI)-- The Cleary University women's soccer team played stellar defense, but fell to the visiting Lakers of Roosevelt University by a score of 4-0 Saturday afternoon at Lake Trust Stadium.

The Cougar defense was under pressure all game long, and the Lakers were able to break through first in the 15th minute off a corner kick to the near post that found an open Laker foot.  Roosevelt would add to their lead 8 minutes later off another corner kick, this time after the ball was initially cleared out it found an unmarked Laker who slotted it past Cleary's Juliana Caro.  Roosevelt would go into the break leading 2-0.

Cleary seemed to solidify their defensive shape in the second half, as the openings were few and far between for the Lakers, and it looked like the game would end at 2-0, but an Cleary own goal made it 3-0, and Roosevelt jumped on the Cougars for one more strike in the final minutes to solidify a 4-0 final score.

Juliana Caro was spectacular in goal, as she faced 17 shots on goal, and made 13 saves in the game.  The Cougar backline all made huge impacts led by Haley Finazzo, Sydney Huston, and Dana Weitenberner to keep Roosevelt from having better scoring opportunities.

Cleary will next be in action on Wednesday, September 15, as they travel to Spring Arbor University to take on the nationally ranked Cougars.  Kick-off is scheduled for 7:00 pm.