The Emporia State soccer team won Opening Day at the ESU Pitch Saturday with a 3-2 decision over #21 Maryville. The Saints scored first midway through the first half, but Ava Huston tallied less than six minutes later on a set piece off a beautiful delivery by Madeline Bracy. Megan Kephart broke the tie with her second goal of the season midway through the second half and ESU put it away on a Ruby Ryan score off another set piece with less than eight minutes to go in the match. ESU was caught out of position as the Saints scored less than three minutes later, but Maryville couldn’t generate any quality chances in the final five minutes. The Saints dominated possession outshooting the Lady Hornets 17-8 with 10 shots on goal to just three, but ESU got excellent play in net from Terra Rybuck who had seven saves while the Saints had none. Kephart said the team scoring off set pieces should give them confidence.
Head coach Jane Grimley-Gunn likes that her team is finding different ways to score.
ESU gave up seven corner kicks without taking one but the Lady Hornet defense held on for hte win with Ryan logging all 90 minutes on the back end for the Black & Gold. E-State (1-0-1) is back in action at the ESU Pitch on Wednesday hosting Rockhurst at 4:00 p.m.
