CHESTER, Pa. - Widener Women's Soccer opened Homecoming Weekend on Friday evening, hosting nationally ranked No. 6 Messiah University in a 5-0 setback.
The Pride move to 6-5-1 overall on the season and 2-1 in conference play.
BY THE NUMBERS
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Messiah applied pressure early, forcing Araba Abanyie to make several saves in the opening minutes. Mia Garofalo put Widener's first shot on goal in the 11th minute, but the Falcons broke through in the 18th minute when Alayna Williams scored off an assist from Mia Libby. Messiah added to its lead in the 24th minute as Brittany Hoffman finished a pass from Hannah Lashley, then Hoffman scored again in the 29th minute with help from Williams. Williams capped the first-half scoring in the 32nd minute off an assist from Addi Martin, sending the Pride into halftime trailing 4-0.
- Widener looked to respond after the break, with Reilly Klein forcing a save in the 48th minute. Messiah extended its lead in the 52nd minute when Hannah Lashley found the net to make it 5-0. Abanyie continued to work in goal, adding saves on shots from Lashley and Lilly Rineer later in the half. Klein received a yellow card in the 77th minute as the Pride continued to compete through the closing minutes. Abanyie finished with 10 saves, while Widener was unable to find the net against the Falcons.
UP NEXT
The Pride return to the pitch on Wednesday, October 14, hosting Alvernia University at 7 p.m.
