Penalty Kicks Hurt Women’s Soccer in Texas

Sarah Krupski
The Paw Print
The Adams State women’s soccer team fell 3-1 in the opening game of the Angelo State Invitational . Penalty kicks by the host Rambellas proved to be the key factor in the Friday game in San Angelo, Texas.
The Grizzly offense then had season-highs with 22 shots and nine shots on the goal at Angelo State Invitational on Sunday, however, Texas-Permian Basin used the combination of a fast start and unyielding goalkeeping to beat the Grizzlies 4-1.
The Friday defeat knocked the Grizzlies to a 1-2-0 at the start of the fresh season. With two straight losses after the 3-1 victory in a non-conference game against CSU-Pueblo, the Grizzlies find themselves in a struggle to come out on top again.
Down by one with only 7:33 into in the second half Grizzlies Junior Amber Drumm tied teh game for the Grizzles. Drumm sent a header towards the goal but was rejected by the Rambella’s keeper Melanie Peterson, however Drumm fought her way to rebound the ball and put it in the net for the Grizzlies only goal.
Drumm’s shot was her second goal of the season, which increased her career goals into a total of nine, this feat moved her  into sixth-place in the ASC record books in that category. She also raised her career point total to 19, which is 10th in program history.
The tie ended quickly when Angelo State received their second penalty kick scored by Megan Scaffer, which put the Rabmbella’s up 2-1. It took 35 minutes of battle between the Grizzlies and Rambella’s before either team could score. A foul called against Adams State gave Rambella’s Lauren Carnes a penalty kick, however, goal keeper Hannah Kholts deflected the shot. Then in defense Angelo State’s Katie Camlin rebound the ball and shot for the score.
The Grizzlies put up a good fight with teamwork and perseverance. Drumm took four shots and was the only Adams State player make a goal. In addition Freshman Shelby Janz took two shots, and juniors Autumn Boyer and Jessica Hellweg and sophomore Jenna Iwaniec each had one shot.
Adams State offense kicked off with a fresh start after intermission on Sunday. During the second half, the Grizzlies took 19 shots, however, Falcons keeper Alexis Frush only allowed one past made by Hellweg.
Hellweg scored the Grizzlies only goal with under five minutes remaining on the clock. Sophomore Kaylee Smith gave Hellweg the assist from a rebound she picked up after her shot was denied by Frush. This was Smith’s second assist of the year. Hellweg has made it to fifth place in the ASC record books with her career total of 25 goals, counting the one she made against the Falcons.
With 14 minutes and 23 seconds in the Falcons took the lead due to an own goal by Adams State. Less than four minutes later the Falcons were awarded a penalty kick. Kaylen Gerkey took the shot and scored upping the Falcons scored 2-0. With pressure on to step up their game ASC came out of intermission with a strong offense, but it wasn’t enough because Texas-Permian Basin increased their score to 4-0.
During the second half Hellweg took three shots, including her goal, Kaylee Smith took five shots, while  Boyer, Drumm, sophomore Jenna Iwaniec, and freshman Whitney Smith each took two shots, all during the second half.
Friday it’s back to the pitch at Murphy Field and into the conference portion of the season for Adams State.  The Grizzlies face Metro State No.5 ranked team in the nation. Metro State has an untarnished recorded of 4-0 including a victory at Minnesota State on Sunday.  Throughout their years in competition ASC is 0-14 overall in facing Metro State.