It took 18 tries, but the Wayne State women’s soccer team finally got a win over Minnesota Duluth on Sunday.
Goals from Megan Phillips and Christina Stasi gave Wayne State its first-ever win over the Bulldogs, posting a 2-0 win in a series where Wayne State has only managed two ties in the previous 17 meetings between the two teams.
Alyssa Bagley got an early test in the match, recording a save in the first eight minutes of action. Four minutes later, the Wildcats were on the scoreboard when Samantha Phillips’ free kick found her sister, Megan Phillips, who shot from a tough angle and put the ball in the back post for her first goal of the year and her sister’s first assist of the season.
In the second half, Stasi took control of a loose ball, weaved through two defenders and put a curling shot from 25 yards away that went into the upper-right corner to get her first goal of the year and give Wayne State the two-goal advantage.
The Wildcats spent the rest of the second half defending their lead from a flurry of Bulldog shots. Minnesota Duluth’s 10 shots in the second half were matched with six Bagley saves as the Wildcats recorded their third shutout of the year.
Bagley ended the day with a career-high eight saves. Phillips, Stasi, and Carleigh Wilson ended the match with a shot on goal each. Minnesota Duluth held a 6-2 advantage in corner kicks, while holding a 17-5 edge in shots.
Wayne State (2-6-1, 2-4-1 NSIC) will be on the road next weekend, visiting Upper Iowa Friday at 3 p.m. and Winona State Sunday at 1 p.m.
