Aug. 19, 2011
TOLEDO, Ohio - Lauren Montenegro's slide tackle setup a goal by Alex Hairston, who scored in her first collegiate game, midway through the second half, lifting Purdue women's soccer to a 1-0 season-opening win at Toledo Friday afternoon.
The Boilermakers knocked off the Mid-American Conference West Division defending champions and preseason favorites despite failing to capitalize on a first-half penalty kick opportunity and giving up six corner kicks in the second half.
The Rockets appeared to have tied the game in the 87th minute when the sixth and final corner kick was deflected in near the left post. But the linesman on the west sideline had raised his flag to signal an offsides, negating the equalizer.
Purdue goalkeeper Clara Kridler made four saves in each half to finish with eight in her first collegiate victory and shutout. She made a quality save early in both halves.
Hairston scored in the 61st minute, winning a 1-v-1 opportunity against Toledo goalkeeper Vicki Traven near the top of the 18-yard box by chipping the ball into right side of the net. Montenegro won the ball with an effective challenge against a Toledo defender, immediately regaining her footing and feeding a pass to Hairston for a semi-breakaway.
Mollie Kuramoto was taken down in the heart of the 18-yard box midway through the first half to earn Purdue a penalty kick chance. The Boilers' coaching staff had hoped play would have continued, as Katie Leinert quickly bounced on the loose ball and fired a shot in the back of the net. Senior co-captain Alexis Tryba was selected to take the penalty kick. Traven was up to the challenge and made a diving save to her left to keep the game scoreless.
Toledo out shot Purdue 22-8 and limited the Boilers to just one corner kick. Last season in West Lafayette, Purdue led the shot count but Toledo won the game, 1-0, in overtime.
Jordan Frick, Jessica Warren, Brookley Rogers, Montenegro and Hairston went the distance among the Purdue field players. Leinert logged 47 minutes to lead the reserves after starting the second half.
The Boilers return to action Sunday at No. 13 West Virginia. Kickoff in Morgantown is slated for 1 p.m.