SHEPHERDSTOWN, W.Va., – Shepherd University (0-8-2, 0-7-1 PSAC East) was defeated by Daemen College (7-1-2, 1-1-1 ECC) by a score of 2-1 in interconference women’s soccer on Wednesday.
After an even first half where Daemen outshot Shepherd 7-6, neither team was able to put a goal on the board.
Daemen got the scoring started in the second half when Grace Stranahan scored a goal in in the 64th minute. This was her fifth goal of the season.
Shepherd tied up the game in the 75th minute on a goal by Mikayla Azar. This was the first goal of Azar’s career. The goal was assisted by Sydney Cauffman.
“I kind of just felt like it wasn’t real,” Azar said. “Like, did that just happen? I was a little confused for a second.”
Not long after Azar’s equalizer, the Wildcats’ leading scorer Jamie Boyer scored on a strike from just outside the box, which was her 12th goal of the season. Daemen would retain the lead for good.
Shepherd’s last two opponents have a combined record of 16-1-2. Despite the losses, both games have been close. Some of the players think the team is turning a corner.
“I think we were at our lowest point,” Azar said. “We kind of hit rock bottom and from there we’ve just been getting better and better, and I think that’s going to continue.”
Daemen will get back into conference play for their next game as they travel to Queens College Saturday at noon.
Shepherd’s next game will be at home on Saturday as they take on East Stroudsburg at 1:00 p.m.