STERLING, Kan. — Sterling lost to Oklahoma Wesleyan 5-0 on Saturday in league play. The Warriors were held to three shots, including two on goal, while Oklahoma Wesleyan finished with 46 shots and 27 on frame. The Warriors allowed three goals in the first half and two in the second, and the Warriors’ goalkeeper was credited with 16 saves.
The Warriors fell into an early hole after Oklahoma Wesleyan scored in the fifth and eighth minutes, despite early Warriors chances from Natalie Schiavone and Vivian Ramirez. Schiavone had a shot cleared by a defensive save at :56 and put another on frame at 6:08, while Ramirez sent an attempt high at 8:53. Bella Duckworth helped the Warriors keep the margin at 2-0 through the middle of the half, making six saves between 13:26 and 28:12, and Schiavone added a defensive save during that stretch. The Warriors absorbed another wave of pressure late, with Preslie Reffel recording three defensive saves before Taylor Welker scored at 42:25. Duckworth added one more save in the final seconds, and the Warriors went into halftime trailing 3-0.
The Warriors conceded twice in the first 10 minutes of the second half, with Oklahoma Wesleyan scoring at 52:17 and adding a penalty kick at 54:42 to make it 5-0. Duckworth helped keep the half from opening further, making multiple saves as the Warriors faced steady pressure after the break. The Warriors’ back line also held through a long stretch from 68:18 to 79:28, with Makenna Monnier recording defensive saves at 68:54 and 72:47 while Oklahoma Wesleyan continued to generate shots and corners. Duckworth added another save in the 77th minute, and the Warriors did not concede again over the final 35 minutes as the match finished 5-0.
Duckworth recorded 16 saves in 90 minutes in goal. Reffel collected three defensive saves. Monnier added two defensive saves. Schiavone finished with two shots on goal and one defensive save.
The Warriors are 3-4-0 overall and 1-1-0 in conference play. Oklahoma Wesleyan is 3-2-2 overall and 2-0-0 in conference play.
Up next, the Warriors host Oklahoma Wesleyan on Wednesday, Sept. 23, at 5 p.m.
Be sure to check for news and updates on Sterling Warrior Athletics on Facebook (/SCWarriors), Twitter (@SterlingCSports), and Instagram (sterlingcsports), as well as the hashtag #SwordsUp. Watch the Warriors’ live home events on the Sterling College Sports Network.
