The Freed-Hardeman University Lady Lion soccer team visited the first of two ranked opponents in the No. 12 Cumberland University Phoenix. Ava Pierce faced a season-high 41 shots while saving a season-high 15, but the hosts broke through for the 7-0 win.
Freed-Hardeman (0-12-1, 0-4-0 MSC) fell behind in the 17th minute when the Phoenix netted their first goal, but Sophia Haddad de Lima hoped to push FHU’s offense with a shot at 39:56 that went wide. Goals in the 34th and 42nd minutes gave Cumberland a 3-0 cushion at intermission.
Tsielo Mokebe tested the new Cumberland (10-3-1, 3-0-1 MSC) keeper just 48 seconds into the second frame, but the new lady registered the save. After a Cumberland goal at 52:35, Ellie Wood’s shot went wide before a fifth CU goal at 62:58. Two more goals would cross before the final whistle in the 7-0 defeat.
Ava Pierce made 15 saves in 79:17 minutes of action before Caraline Riddle made one save in the final 10:43. Tsielo Mokebe had both of FHU’s shots on target.
