KENOSHA, Wis. - The Ranger women's soccer program played their first match at Wood Road Soccer Field the season this afternoon. The Rangers came home after picking up a draw against #23 Northern Michigan and their first loss of the season to Michigan Tech in the previous weekend of action. The Rangers entered the match against the undefeated Davenport Panthers, looking to bounce back from the recent Michigan Tech loss. The Rangers prevailed against the Panthers, handing them their first loss of the year. The Rangers improve to an impressive 4-1-1 season record, and are now 1-1-1 in GLIAC action. Davenport now falls to 4-1-1 on the year and 1-1-1 in GLIAC play.
Inside the Box Score
- Goals from Alexis Bolger and Emily Mikkelson helped lift the Rangers to victory.
- With Bolger's goal, she now leads the Rangers in goals on the season with three.
- Goalkeeper Kelsey Gross got her first start of the season and is credited with the win.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Rangers struck first in the first half.
Alexis Bolger was left unmarked well outside the 18-yard box. After recieving the pass from
Adrianna Rodriguez, Bolger took a couple touches and rifled the ball into the back of the net. The long distance goal was scored in the 20th minute and put the Rangers up 1-0. Rodriguez gets credit for the assist on the long range effort, her first on the season.
Before the first half came to an end a foul in the box lead to Davenport being awarded a penalty kick with three seconds left in the half. Senior
Kelsey Gross in her first start of the season had yet to have faced a PK in her career as a Ranger. Gross guessed right and made the diving save to protect the 1-0 lead heading into halftime.
After the penalty saved to close the first half, all the momentum was with Parkside entering the second half. The Rangers continued with their offensive attack.
Emily Mikkelson found the ball at her feet by the end line. She took on the Panthers defenders and cut back away from the goal to create an angle for the shot and buried the goal in the 64th minute putting Parkside up 2-0. Mikkelson's goal would prove to be the game winner when all was said and done.
The Panthers would press looking for goals to draw back even. With just about 30 seconds remaining in the match the Panthers drew closer. It was too little too late for the Panthers as they wouldn't be able to find the equalizer with such little time left.
The Rangers will remain at home as apart of the Weekend of Winning at Parkside this weekend. They will play Sunday in a doubleheader with the women's program. The women's game will kick off from Wood Road Field at 12 p.m. before the men's match against Northern Michigan. Tickets, coverage, and more can be accessed at parksiderangers.com.
