BIG RAPIDS, Mich. — The Parkside women's soccer team defeated Ferris State 2-1 on Sunday afternoon. Junior
Kayden Schmidt converted on a penalty late to break a 1-1 tie and give the Rangers the win. It's just the second time ever the Rangers have won on the road against the Bulldogs.
Schmidt's late goal gave Parkside the lead for good in a match where the Bulldogs finished with 18 shots to the Rangers' nine and a 6-3 edge in shots on goal. Parkside got five saves from
Lindsey Ferrara and made its three shots on frame count, with
Ava Rizzitano opening the scoring and Schmidt recording the game-winner.
The Rangers made one of their three first-half shots count when Rizzitano scored in the fourth minute, streaking up into the top right of the 18 and striking a ball into the upper left corner past Ferris' keeper Korinne Ihrke. It was Rizzitano's second consecutive game with a goal and was her team-leading fifth on the season. The teams went to halftime tied 1-1 after FSU's Haley Buckman converted a penalty kick in the 37th minute. The Bulldogs generated an 11-3 shot advantage and put five attempts on goal, but Ferrara made four saves to keep the Rangers level through the first half.
FSU held a 7-6 edge in second-half shots and a 3-1 advantage in corners, but Parkside put two attempts on goal and recorded the half's only score. In the 88th minute, the Bulldogs committed a handball in the box, and Schmidt stepped up to the dot and converted a penalty kick to give the Rangers a 2-1 lead, and Parkside would hold on from there.
Schmidt scored the game-winning goal and finished with three shots, putting two on frame. Rizzitano added an unassisted goal and recorded three shots. Ferrara made five saves over 90 minutes in goal, marking her third straight match with four or more saves.
Parkside snapped a three-match losing streak with the win and is now 6-4-1 overall and 4-3-0 in GLIAC play. Ferris State is 4-4-3 overall and 2-3-2 in conference play.
Up next, the Rangers travel to Allendale, Michigan, to face Grand Valley State University on Friday, Oct. 9, at 4:30 p.m.
To keep up with the Rangers, be sure to visit
parksiderangers.com/coverage.
