GRANTHAM, Pa. (September 1, 2023) - Graduate student Rachel Rouse put three shots on target, but the Stevens Institute of Technology women's soccer team lost to Washington & Lee by a score of 5-0 in a non-conference season opener on Friday evening. The game was played on the campus of Messiah University. 

The season opening loss is the third straight for the Stevens (0-1) dating back to 2021. The five goal margin of defeat is the largest the women's soccer program has suffered since 2009, when they lost to No. 9 Ithaca 6-0 on September 19th. Washington & Lee, who starts the season 1-0, had five different goal scorers in the contest as the Generals converted on almost half of their attempts on target (5 for 12).

It didn't take long for the Generals to open their 2023 scoring account as they struck 11 minutes after the opening whistle. Stevens tried to respond quickly on the other end a few minutes later on an attempt by Rouse, but her shot was stopped. Neither team was able to score for the next 27 minutes until Washington & Lee struck for two quick goals in just over five minutes to take a 3-0 lead into the break.

Stevens came out the aggressor in the second half as both Rouse and graduate student Julia Cairns tested Sydney Smith in the General net, but she stopped both attempts. Just four minutes after the Cairns attempt, Washington & Lee netted a fourth goal. They would go on to add the fifth in the 68th minute to seal the game and send the Ducks to 0-1.

Top Performers

• Rouse led the Ducks in shots on target with three.
• First-year Luciana Rodrigues made her first career start in her collegiate debut.
• First-years Molly McCann, Diana Cavalieri, and Kaitlin Sorrentino each made their collegiate debuts.
• Sophomore Kenny Donley made five saves in 45 minutes of action.
• Senior Dana Perry made two saves in 45 minutes.
• Stevens recorded 12 shots with five landing on target.

The Opponent

• Sydney Smith made five saves in 90 minutes of action.
• Five different players scored for the Generals.
• The Generals had 16 shots with 12 going on target.

Around the MAC Freedom

• DeSales 0, Clarkson 1
• Delaware Valley 0, Ursinus 2
• Moravian 1, Lebanon Valley 1
• Susquehanna 1, No. 5 Misericordia 3
• Ramapo 2, FDU-Florham 3

Up Next: It doesn't get any easier for the Ducks as they take on No. 3 Messiah in day two of the Messiah Season Opener tournament tomorrow at 7:30 p.m. Stevens is 1-6-1 all-time against Messiah, with the Falcons winning the last two meetings. Links for live stats and video are posted to stevensducks.com