NOTRE DAME, Ind. - The Saint Mary's soccer team battled but ended on the short end of a 1-0 contest against visiting Central (Iowa) on Saturday evening.

 

Central broke through for what proved to be the lone goal of the game in the fourth minute with a strong strike in transition. The Belles adjusted and worked to try to counter with a couple of strong scoring chances over the next 12 minutes of action. Kaitlyn Day sent a dangerous cross through the box but just out of the reach of Jillian Bowen. Grace Barresi had a shot blocked a short while later. Two of the best chances came within the span of a minute of one another. Bowen had a strong cross bounce through the box toward Day at the far post, but Day's shot was just wide left of the frame. Lindsey Adent then had a powerful shot at the top of the box glance off the crossbar and out for a goal kick. Janelle Aiello added a pair of shots which were blocked at the top of the 18. The next scoring chance for the Belles came in the 36th minute when Sophia Fleming's shot was sure to find the back of the net before a diving save at the near post kept the ball out of the goal.

 

Grace Barresi tallied two shots in the second half, but the Belles continued to trail the Dutch 1-0 as the minutes ticked off the clock. In the closing 20 minutes of the second half, the Belles again put some strong pressure on Central. A loose ball found its way to Sophia Fleming well outside the 18 on the left side of the field. The senior rocketed a shot from distance, and its trajectory appeared as if it would carry just over the keeper and under the crossbar. The shot, however, stayed airborne just a fraction too long and hit off the top of the crossbar and out of play. With under ten minutes remaining, a series of good passes by Saint Mary's put the ball in dangerous territory yet again. Katie Harrington played a pass ahead for Barresi on the right flank. Barresi had a powerful cross skid in front of goal and made its way to the far post, but Emily Stross was just barely unable to connect with a tap-in goal possibility in the 1-0 final.

 

Grace Barresi led the team with five shots. Sophia Fleming added two shots, and Janelle Aiello a pair of shots. Lindsey Adent and Katilyn Day registered a shot apiece. Riley Lindsey tallied four saves but shouldered the loss in goal. Kara Stacey played the second 45 minutes of the contest and picked up two saves.

 

The Belles (0-1-1) are on the road on Wednesday, September 7 when they travel to Aurora for an 8:00 p.m. EDT (7:00 p.m. CDT) contest.