NAMPA, Idaho – The Adams State women's soccer team were victorious in their season opener against University of Minnesota Crookston Thursday afternoon. The Grizzlies came out on top, winning by a score of 5-3 over the Golden Eagles. The win brought Janine Hurst her first career win as head coach for Adams State.
The Grizzlies didn't waste time finding the back of the net as Diana Cerillo put the Grizzlies on the scoreboard with a Carly Kading assist in the eighth minute. The goal earned Cerillo her first collegiate goal. The Golden Eagles would quickly answer with a pair of goals by Maggee Hodgdon in the 15th minute and 17th minute. Natalie Wheelock tied the game on a free kick in the 18th minute.
The game remained tied until the 75th minute when Gia Barone scored a goal of her own. The goal was also Barone's first collegiate goal. Moments later, Wheelock would score on a penalty kick in the 81st minute. Two goals weren't enough for Wheelock, as she notched a hat trick with an assist by Brenna Oakey in the 83rd minute. Natalie Wheelock already has three goals on four shots after finishing with only one goal on 10 shots in 2017. The Golden Eagles cut the lead to two with another goal in the 84th minute, but it wasn't enough.
Adams State finished the game with 28 shots with 21 being on goal. The Golden Eagles ended the game with 13 shots with nine coming on goal. In their first game of 2018 the Grizzlies have already matched their game-high in goals from the previous season.
Adams State will hope to stay hot as they take on Northwest Nazarene University on Saturday, September 1 in Boise, Idaho.
