Too little too late in UHSP WSOC season opener

MARYLAND HEIGHTS, MO - The Freed-Hardeman University women's soccer team earned a well-deserved 4-2 win against the University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy on Tuesday night at Lou Fusz Soccer Park. The game, which kicked off at 7:00 PM with temperatures registering in the low 90's, was marked by a strong offensive showing from the Lions, who set the tone early and maintained their dominance throughout the match.

Freed-Hardeman took control early, capitalizing on their opportunities to establish a 2-0 lead by halftime. The Lions' first goal came in the 31st minute when Alexia Lorenzo-Pereira found the back of the net for FHU's first goal of the season, putting FHU ahead 1-0. Just seven minutes later, Hadley Husband doubled the Lions' lead with a well-placed shot lofted high over UHSP netminder Daniela Nether from near 30-yards away, giving Freed-Hardeman a comfortable cushion heading into the break.

Defensively, the Lions were just as impressive in the first half. Goalkeeper Ava Pierce played a pivotal role, making crucial saves to keep UHSP off the scoreboard. Pierce faced seven shots in the first half, saving two of them, and commanded the backline with authority.

Freed-Hardeman carried their momentum into the second half, quickly extending their lead to 3-0 in the 48th minute. Ellie Wood, assisted by Rachel Dollar, scored her first goal of the season with a brilliant strike, leaving UHSP's defense scrambling.

Lorenzo-Pereira was not finished yet. She struck again in the 57th minute, securing her second goal of the match and giving FHU a commanding 4-0 lead. Her performance highlighted a relentless offensive effort from the Lions, who outshot UHSP 21-14 throughout the match, with 16 of those shots on target.

Despite being down by four goals, UHSP showed resilience and refused to go down without a fight. Isabelle Rogers led the charge for UHSP, scoring twice in quick succession. Her first goal came in the 73rd minute off an assist from Lindsay English, and she followed it up just a minute later with a penalty kick conversion, narrowing the deficit to 4-2.

However, Freed-Hardeman's defense held firm for the remainder of the match, ensuring that UHSP could not close the gap any further. Pierce finished the game with three saves, backed by a defensive unit that absorbed UHSP's late pressure with poise.

Nether took the loss in net for the Eutectics making eight saves on a dozen shots. Susan Bradford came on in to replace Nether in the 64^th minute and finished the game saving all four shots she faced.

UHSP (0-1) plays their next match back at home on Saturday when they host Brescia in an 11:00a kickoff. Freed-Hardeman picks up their first win improving to 1-2 and stay in the St. Louis area for an afternoon tilt on Wednesday at Harris-Stowe.