Carnegie Mellon 2, Franciscan 0  

Franciscan Starters 
Marykate Bateman, Kaitlyn Martuch, Claire Dawyot, Sarah Cocozza, Beth Flanagan, Kaitrin O'Leary, Bella Rubino, Mary Roach, Jess Munoz, Ellie Scanlon & Marita Ostrich

Carnegie Mellon Starters 
Camila Bodden, Allie Hunter, Jocelyn Mayer, Lena Spencer, Maddy Lui, Rachel Martini, Breana Valentovish, Sarah Scoles, Cecelia Dieterich, Rachel Legg & Carolyn Botz

How It Happened 
The Franciscan Women's Soccer team started its Spring 2021 season by challenging National Semi-Finalist Carnegie Mellon in a non-conference match, falling 2-0 in a highly competitive match. The Tartans are an affiliate member of the Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) which allowed Franciscan to play the game. 

The Barons held Carnegie Mellon in check in the early going, before the Tartans found the back of the net in the 20th minute. After the goal, Franciscan would settle in, controlling more of the possession and putting pressure on the Tartans defense. In the 32nd minute, Sarah Cocozza would have the Barons best chance to score, putting a shot on goal but Carnegie Mellon goalkeeper Carolyn Botz made the save. Meanwhile Franciscan starting goalie Marita Ostrich made four first half saves, keeping the score 1-0 heading into the half.

In the second half, the Barons strong midfield play continued to frustrate the Tartans potent offensive attack. Franciscan's Defensive Backline forced Carnegie Mellon into two offsides penalties. Ostrich added four more saves, keeping the Barons within striking range late into the second half. Franciscan's best scoring opportunity came when a lose ball in the box found the feet of Juliana Rubino who ripped a shot that barely sailed over the cross bar in the 74th minute. Only trailing by one with under five minutes remaining, Franciscan pushed numbers forward trying to create another scoring chance, but the Tartans would counter, scoring a goal in the 86th minute to put the game out of reach. 

Inside the Numbers 
- Barons starting goalie Marita Ostrich made eight saves
- Sarah Cocozza put one shots on goal, leading all Barons
- Carnegie Mellon was led by Cecelia Dieterich and Lena Spence who each scored a goal
- The Tartans out shot the Barons 23-2

Who's Next? 
Franciscan will return home for their first PAC contest of the the year against Bethany on Saturday at 1 pm. It will also be the first soccer game on Franciscan's brand new turf surface. The Lady Barons are 9-3-1 all-time against the Bison with a win last season against them. Kaitrin O'Leary would find the back of the net twice for the Lady Barons in their 6-2 win against the Bison last season. 

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