Photo courtesy of Dan Horan.
Posted: Oct 20, 2021
OLIVET, Mich. - The Saint Mary's soccer team seniors played a big role in spoiling Olivet's Senior Night as the Belles came away with a 2-0 win on Wednesday evening.
Senior co-captain Rose Stackhouse stole the ball away from an Olivet defender, played herself around the goalkeeper, and scored on the open net to put the Belles ahead in the eighth minute of action. The Belles kept the pressure on the Olivet backline with back-to-back corner kicks in the 12th minute but were unable to capitalize on the chances. The Saint Mary's defense, meanwhile, limited the opportunities for the Comets at the other end of the pitch. Kara Stacey came up with a save on the first shot on-goal she faced, and the Belles limited Olivet to three total shots over the opening 45 minutes of play.
The senior duo of Maya Cole and Becca Stella added to the Saint Mary's lead late in the half. Cole took a corner kick in the 38th minute, and the cross found Stella at the far post where she headed home her first goal of the 2021 season to make it 2-0.
The defense continued to stand their ground over the final 45 minutes. Olivet registered just one shot on goal over the final half of play, and Stacey corralled that attempt to preserve the two-goal win for the Belles.
Rose Stackhouse registered her ninth career game-winning goal while also collecting her ninth goal of the season in the win. Becca Stella found the back of the net for the first time this season with an insurance goal, and Maya Cole tallied her 12th career assist. Kara Stacey made a pair of saves in goal en route to the shutout victory between the posts for the Belles.
Saint Mary's (8-8, 1-6 MIAA) close out the regular season on Saturday when they host Alma at noon.