Pineville, La.-Alex Cannon scored twice and MaKenna Piha added another goal to propel the Lady Eagles to a 3-1 win over Louisiana Conference in their American Southwest Conference season-opener Thursday.
Within the first five minutes of play Louisiana College forward Sara Smith scored with an assist from Erin Briggs. Morgan O’Neil held the Wildcats off for the rest of the first half, while Ozarks (2-4-0, 1-0-0) went scoreless.
Ozarks had the better showing in the second half, holding a 13-6 shots advantage over Louisiana College (0-5-0, 0-1-0). The Lady Eagles attacked the Wildcats defense relentlessly. Piha received a pass from Abby Kern and as it was shot at the goal, Wildcats goalie Danielle Paulsen blocked it only to have Piha on the receiving end to make the shot. Ozarks would add to the lead when Kern passed the ball through the defense to Cannon. On the first attempt, Paulsen knocked it out of the way, but Cannon fiercely kicked it in to give the Lady Eagles a 2-1 advantage. On the attack in the 78th minute, Piha found Cannon sprinting on the outside towards the box. Cannon took a few touches and easily outran the defender and put it past the goalkeeper to give Ozarks a 3-1 lead. The Ozarks defense then held off Louisiana College for the rest of the game.
Cannon finished with seven shots, five of which were on goal.
Ozarks will travel to Clinton, Mississippi, to face Mississippi College September 17.
By Kaitlyn Williams, Student Assistant SID
Topics: Athletics