Sports
RedStorm Squeak By Shawnee State 1-0
By: Anna Vassalotti
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The Rio Grande women’s soccer team is one step closer toward earning a home game in the first round of the Mid-South Conference tournament. Rio faced rival Shawnee State on Saturday with a 1-0 victory and improved its overall record 8-5 and 4-2 in the Mid-South Conference.
In the 2012 season, the RedStorm lost to the Bears 0-1. With an improved 2013 squad and crucial spot in the Mid-South Conference Tournament within reach, the RedStorm gave the Bears a taste of their own medicine under a record-breaking attendance of 571 fans.
It was a scoreless game until freshman Carrie Mathes found the open net with just 14 minutes remaining in regulation. The RedStorm and Bears had scoring opportunities throughout the game but Rio’s goalkeeper, Allison Keeney, collected four saves for the RedStorm while Shawnee’s keeper ended with six saves for the Bears.
Until Mathes’ winning goal, there was excessive chirping between the two squads, and lot of frustration with all the missed goal opportunities. Fortunately for the RedStorm, Mathes’ goal gave them cushion and support to secure the win without going into overtime.
“It was a massive game for us, not only because we were playing a rival but because of our standing in the conference,” RedStorm head coach Callum Morris said.
Rio finished with a 19-14 edge in shots, as well as 11-3 advantage in the second half.
Rio will host St. Catherine on Wednesday. Kickoff is set for 5 p.m.