Roos Shut Down Marquette; Hold On Late for Victory

KANSAS CITY - As time ticked down in the 90th minute and Marquette approached the ball to take a last-second corner kick with the Roos leading 1-0, some Kansas City Women's Soccer fans may have had a sickening feeling of déjà vu all over again. See, last season when the Roos and Golden Eagles matched up, it was a Marquette converted corner with just 12 seconds remaining that evened the score and forced the Roos to split the points.

Tonight, Kansas City held true. The Roos forced an errant shot as time expired and came away with the win, 1-0.

HIGHLIGHTS

It was a special night for Breckynn Pugh. Celebrating her birthday alongside her twin, Olyvia Pugh, the duo made it into the Roos' starting lineup for the first time of their Kansas City careers. Breckynn seemed destined to find the score sheet from the start.

She was responsible for KC's first shot of the night, firing an attempt after Olivia Platt cut up the Golden Eagle defense.

Then, in the 30th minute, she got a bit closer. She let a shot fire from about 25 yards out, a blast that glanced off the fingertips of Marquette's Hailey Wade and banged off the crossbar, creating a scramble in the box.

Kansas City was able to extend that possession, reversing sides of the field over to Platt. She laid the ball back to Emilia Zolesio Fernandez Blanco, who took a one-time service that was placed perfectly to the edge of the six-yard box. Finally, it was Breckynn's time to shine. She snuck past the Marquette back line, squaring up a left-footed shot straight into the back of the net.

INTERVIEWS: COACH SMITH | B. PUGH

B. Pugh has shown her scoring prowess this season, scoring the first goals of her career in the form of a brace in KC's win over Rockhurst on Aug. 24. This was the first game-winner of her career, in her 10th-career appearance. Platt tied the team-lead with her third assist of the season and Zolesio tallied her second helper of the year.

From there, the Roos continued to hold strong. The middle part of the game was played without much noise from either side, but Marquette started to apply pressure after the 65th minute.

The Golden Eagles seemed to have a great chance in the 69th, slotting a through ball and having an apparent run at goal. In swooped E. Zolesio, timing a perfect tackle and thwarting Marquette's chance.

Zolesio was called into action once again in the 79th minute when a scramble in the box drew Audrey Brown out of the goal. Marquette was able to retain possession and Jocelyn Leigh fired a shot, but Zolesio stepped to the goal line and played the ball away, keeping the Roos out of danger.

A flurry of chances for the Golden Eagles in the final minute were kept away from goal and Kansas City held on for the shutout. Marquette entered tonight's game with the 65th-best scoring offense in the nation, averaging 2.17 goals per game. This was the first time all season that they were held scoreless.

The win moves Kansas City back above .500, holding a 4-3 record on the season. The Roos are back in action on Sunday, taking to the road for a 7 p.m. kickoff at Missouri.

Roos Shut Down Marquette; Hold On Late for Victory

Players Mentioned

Audrey Brown

Olivia Platt

Breckynn Pugh

Olyvia Pugh

Emilia Zolesio Fernandez Blanco

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