By Drew Zuhosky
The Youngstown State University soccer team headed into Saturday night’s home finale at Farmer’s National Bank Field hoping to send off the departing senior class with a win versus The University of Illinois-Chicago Flames.
Despite a heavy rainstorm, the Penguins ended the home schedule of the season with a 2-1 victory on the strength of goals by Macey Riese and junior midfielder Tyesha Kizer.
YSU (7-10, 2-6 Horizon League) took a 1-0 in the 28th minute of play. Riese converted off of a free kick from 20 yards away for her second goal of the year, assisted by sophomore forward Katie Hackos and Kizer.
Kizer later scored her second goal of the season in the 72nd minute to take a 2-0 lead.
UIC (5-11-2, 2-5-1 Horizon League) cut the Penguins’ lead to 2-1 after UIC senior forward Emily Wauer scored her second goal of the season two minutes later.
Statistically, YSU was led by Hackos, who took four shooting attempts, one on goal, along with an assist on Riese’s goal. Riese took two shots, one on goal in the contest.
Sophomore midfielder Kyler Lum registered two shots, as did junior midfielder Kathy Baquero. YSU took 13 shooting attempts to UIC’s 10 in the match. Of YSU’s 13 shots, three were on goal, while six of UIC’s 10 shots were on goal.
UIC sophomore forward Olivia Everin tied with UIC freshman midfielder Jasmin Carerra for a game-high with three shots, one on goal each, for the Flames. UIC and YSU each took four corner kicks in the match.
YSU junior goalkeeper Katie Montgomery registered five saves during the match for her fourth win as goalie this season, while UIC goalkeeper Kelly Fritz recorded one save in her 10th loss as goalie this season.
After the win, Riese talked about her goal in the first half.
“I’ve been looking to score a goal on a set piece all year,” Riese said. “I did once, the game-winning goal against [University of] Findlay, so it was nice to just do it again — especially in front of my parents and grandparents and my friends.”
Riese reflected on how gratifying it was to win on senior night.
“It’s definitely awesome to win on senior night,” Riese said. “This is obviously our last game on our home field, so it’s just a terrific win, a great memory for me.”
The weather might have played a factor in the second half of the game. Riese discussed the impact of the weather and Montgomery’s play, who finished with five saves on Saturday.
“In the second half, the weather was definitely a huge factor,” she said. “It was really rough out there on the field. Katie Montgomery came up with some great saves. For a keeper to make saves like that in the rain is just awesome, so I’m really proud of her and our defense held strong, as well.”
YSU has one last match this season, next Saturday at the University of Oakland. Kickoff time is just after 7 p.m.
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