WOMEN'S SOCCER SECURES 10-WIN SEASON BEHIND PERFORMANCE FROM FRASER

WASHINGTON, MI - Women's Soccer (10-2-0, 4-1-0) secured a clutch 2-1 win over Lourdes (4-6-1, 1-4) on Friday evening. After a stalemate in the first half, Rochester was able to recover from a 1-0 deficit behind great play from defender Kennedy Fraser. The win gave Rochester its second 10-win season since the team joined the NAIA. 

Both teams were locked into a defensive battle during the first 45 minutes, with Lourdes playing an aggressive press that gave Rochester some trouble in midfield. The Gray Wolves shot four shots in the first half, while Rochester had seven, including a couple of close calls.

Defenders Alyssa Romatz and Isabella Ames also played strong games, saving the Warriors during several one-on-one attacks for the Gray Wolves. Rochester also saw midfielder Samantha Johns make a couple of key stops in the center of the pitch.

In the second half, things ramped up on the offensive side. Rochester's Sammi Springer nearly secured the first goal of the game on a direct shot at the goalkeeper but was halted. Lourdes was able to capitalize on a miscue from Rochester and scored on a counter-attack down the middle to get up to a 1-0 lead.

However, Rochester didn't back down after the deficit and turned the pressure up even higher. Junior Faith Staley could get a few looks at goal from outside the box, but Rochester would finally get its first goal from a great cross by Fraser, which found sophomore Olivia Howes to tie the game.

Springer had two more shots saved by the goalkeeper, but Fraser found an opening off a great pass by Romatz to score the winning goal in the 87th minute, causing the crowd to erupt. Rochester was able to secure double-digit wins in a single season for the second time since the Warriors joined the NAIA in 2014.

UP NEXT

Rochester will look to secure its highest win total in a season when the team hosts Siena Heights (7-0-4, 3-0-1) on Wednesday at 3 p.m.

Hussein Murray - RU Athletic Communications