Women’s soccer team loses to Saint Mary’s, 2-1

OLIVET, Mich. – The Olivet College women's soccer team lost 2-1 to Saint Mary's (Ind.) College in a Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) contest today at the Cutler Athletic Complex in Olivet.

The Belles took an early 1-0 lead on a goal in the 11th minute. Jordan Diffenderfer slipped the ball into the 18-yard box, where Rosie Biehl finished with a shot to the near post. Junior Olivia Gardner (Trenton) sent a high shot from around 30 yards out, which floated just over the cross bar.

A short time later in the 81st minute, Kelly Wilson gathered the ball inside the 6-yard box and sent a shot past the keeper for a 2-0 Saint Mary's lead. The Comets got on the scoreboard in the 85th minute. After a Belle was called for a foul, sophomore Deanna Zolnoski (Macomb/Henry Ford II) came up to serve the ball into the box and junior Nicole Borek (Holt) chipped the ball over the keeper's head.

Olivet had a golden chance to score the tying goal in the final minute of the game. A Saint Mary's player was whistled for a foul. Borek took the free kick from around 20 yards out, and her shot hit off the cross bar. Freshman Megan Peplinski (Canton/Plymouth) collected the rebound but her shot sailed over the goal.

The game was almost a tale of two halves. The Belles had an 8-1 shot advantage in the first half, while the Comets had an 8-4 edge in the second half. Saint Mary's had three corner kicks in the first half, and Olivet had three in the second half. Senior Lindsey Winters (Plymouth/Canton) led the way for the Comets with four shots. Zolnoski finished with four saves.

The Comets host Calvin College Saturday at noon. Before the game, Olivet will recognize its four seniors – Winters, Mary Lamp (Alpena), Jenna Mayle (Ionia) and Raquel Mazur (Grifftih, Ind.).