NOTRE DAME, Ind. - The Saint Mary's soccer team fell in a 3-0 final at home against Franklin on Thursday evening.

 

Saint Mary's held almost all of the momentum throughout the opening half of play. The Belles were connecting passes up and down the field to put the pressure on the Grizzlies' defense early and often. Izzi Linus played a ball into space for Kaitlyn Day only to see Day's strong cross into the box intercepted by the goalkeeper less than ten minutes into the period. Mary Kaczynski had a breakaway opportunity whistled down for a narrow offside call, and Jillian Bowen had a threatening cross off of a free kick cleared away just a few minutes later. 

 

In the 23rd minute, Abaigeal Patnode played a long ball up the middle of the field. Bowen settled the pass and played it on to Mary Kaczynski. Kaczynski battled through a 50/50 chance and fired a shot on goal only to see it saved. Kaczynski later connected with Izzi Linus, but Linus saw her shot on goal saved. Emily Stross fought her way into the box and had a shot blocked just moments after subbing into the game. Grace Barresi continued the onslaught of shots with a rocket from outside the 18 that sailed just high and wide of an upper 90 strike in the 36th minute. Stross played a ball for Kaczynski to run onto in the 42nd minute, and the sophomore's shot with pace was tapped over the crossbar for a corner kick. On that same possession, Felicity Matthews had a well-struck shot after making a turn in the box saved as the Belles were unable to break through into the scoring column.

 

All of the momentum the Belles built throughout the first half dissipated when Franklin scored five minutes into the second period after a free kick took a high bounce and into the back of the net. Barresi and Bowen each tried to find the equalizer quickly with Barresi's effort tailing wide left while Bowen had a shot saved on a far-post effort after a cross from Katilyn Day. The Grizzlies doubled their lead in the 65th minute. Day had a handful of solid crosses from the right side down the stretch, but Saint Mary's was unable to put a scoring chance on goal while Franklin added a later goal for the 3-0 final.

 

Saint Mary's out-shot Franklin 18-8 in the game while the Grizzlies held a 6-5 advantage in shots on goal. Mary Kaczynski and Grace Barresi each tallied four shots. Jillian Bowen added three shots, and Izzi Linus and Felicity Matthews had two shots apiece. Kaitlyn Day, Ava Slater, and Emily Stross each took a shot in the game. Riley Lindsey made three saves while playing the full 90 minutes in goal.

 

The Belles (0-4-2) are on their home pitch on Saturday when they host Lake Forest at 2:00 p.m.