By Jordan Shim–
Women’s soccer suffered their second loss on the year, falling 3-2 to Purdue.
A hat trick by Purdue’s Maddy Williams gave the Boilermakers a commanding 3-0 lead before Louisville’s Mollie Rouse and Brooklynn Rivers pulled two goals back to narrow the scoreline.
“It was a good ol’ fashioned butt kicking,” Louisville coach Karen Ferguson-Dayes said. “We chased the ball. We missed every tackle. We missed every pass. And I give 100 percent of the credit to Purdue.”
Most of Purdue’s possessions didn’t end with shots, but they were content with sending the ball into danger, ready to pounce if the Cards made a mistake.
In the 26th minute, Andrea Petrina sent the ball forward to Maddy Williams to chase. Williams beat out Inger-Katrine Bjerke and forced goalkeeper Gabrielle Kouzelos to charge. Kouzelos missed on the dive and Williams made a simple finish for her fourth goal of the season.
The Boilermaker duo combined to double the lead three minutes later. Petrina’s through ball sent Williams and Hannah Melchiorre in the open. Williams got to it first and finished across goal.
“They like to slip balls in,” Ferguson-Dayes said. “We know Williams and Melchiorre have pace, and Williams is an exceptional player. But we were afraid of it, and because we were afraid, we dropped back instead of keeping our compactness, giving them even more room to play.”
Purdue exploited their advantage so much that coach Ferguson-Dayes had to substitute Bjerke.
Shots were even in the first half at six a piece.
Williams bagged her hat trick after another error cost the Cards in the 49th minute. A missed clear in the box gave Williams to softly place her shot past Kouzelos.
Kennadi Carbin had two breakaway chances to score but squandered both.
Rouse spoiled Purdue’s chance for the shutout in the 86th minute with her first career goal.
Three minutes later, a desperation long ball from Gabrielle Vincent found Brooklynn Rivers. Rivers then fired past Luce, making it 3-2.
“We have to bring out a toughness,” Ferguson-Dayes said. “By no means did we feel we arrived and could just show up and beat Purdue. I know that’s not what this group did. I truly believe we were afraid.”
Louisville hosts Gardner-Webb for their next game on Thursday, Sept. 14. Kickoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.
You can follow Jordan on Twitter @tlcjordanshim.
