Senior center Daniel Arcau during the second half of the Argos win over Concordia University College of Alberta.
Lady Argos Get Offense Going in 4-2 Win
GREAT FALLS, Mont. – The Lady Argos ended a winless streak that has lasted since September 19 with a dominant 4-2 victory over Trinity Lutheran College. Freshman forward Kaylee Bartley made an instant impact off the bench, scoring the game winner for UGF.
"I thought the team played well today,” said UGF head coach Brian Clarke. “We need to clean up a few things defensively but I was pleased with our effort and our ability to be dangerous on the attack.”
It took awhile for either team to get going, with UGF stifling the Eagle’s attack and TLC’s high offside trap catching the Lady Argo forwards off-guard. After adjusting to a more possession oriented offensive approach instead of a counterattack, the Argos began to put more pressure on the opposing defense.
In the 27th minute UGF broke through with freshman midfielder Sydney Knieriem surprising the TLC keeper with a lofting shot from over 20 yards out that found the upper right corner of the net.
The Eagles answered back just a handful of minutes later with a corner kick that curled towards the net, deflected off the hands of the UGF keeper, and went in.
The momentum shifts continued with Bartley making her first appearance on the score sheet with a finish inside the 6-yard box in the 36th minute. The look came after a cross from forward Jessica Watts deflected off of freshman Sarah Howell in the box. The ball dropped to Bartley who made quick work of the opportunity.
The goal gave Great Falls a 2-1 lead heading into the half and they wasted little time extending that lead in the second. Once again it was Bartley, this time receiving a pass from senior midfielder Lauren Ozdowski before finding the back of the net.
The goal would prove to be the game winner, with TLC scoring a goal late in the half but not before the Argos scored a fourth. That fourth came in the 58th minute from Alejandra Guzman.
The sophomore was finally rewarded for her energy offensively, that saw her get off three shots, one on goal, in the first half without scoring. The play that did eventually score was set up by a perfect through-ball from Knieriem to put Guzman one-on-one with the keeper.
Sophomore Kayla Gray picked up the win for the Lady Argos in net, saving five of the Eagles seven potential scoring shots.
The win gets the UGF women back above the .500 mark with a record of 4-3-2. With their winless streak now snapped they will look to start a more positive streak with their road game against Carroll College on October 11 at 1 p.m.
“We are looking forward to getting back to conference play,” Clarke said. “We have a big game coming up on Sunday."