Soccer Tripped in Opener at Winona 3-2

WINONA, Minn. — Michigan Tech held a 2-0 lead late in the first half but couldn't hold it. The Huskies fell at Winona State 3-2 in both teams' season opener tonight.

Lexi Herriweg staked the Black and Gold to a 2-goal advantage in the first 33 minutes. The senior beat a defender then cut back across the goal before sliding through a shot in the 17th minute. Jacqueline Mielke picked up an assist on the play. 

Herriweg's second goal came off a beautiful pass into space from freshman Marisa DeMario. Herriweg ran to the ball and fired the shot over the goalkeeper for her 18th career goal.

Tech possessed the ball for a majority of the half, but turned it over in the final moments and surrendered a goal that was shot from the right sideline 30 yards out. The marker came with two seconds remaining in the half and changed the momentum.

Winona State posted a 19-3 advantage in shots in the second half. The Warriors' second goal came on a free kick just outside the box in the 58th minute. The game winner was scored in the 80th minute on a nice centering feed to a trailing player.

Tech had a good chance to tie the game with under five minutes to play, but a pass to the far post sailed just between the goal and a Huskies' player out of bounds.

Goalkeeper Jenna Phelps made nine saves for the Black and Gold. WSU held a 12-6 advantage in shots on goal for the game.

"After they scored late in the first half, we were frazzled," said Tech coach Michelle Jacob. "They use a different style, playing a lot of long balls. They were able to get into rhythm in the second half, and we had a hard time playing our possession game.

"It's disappointing, but we have a lot of positives to take away from tonight—especially the fact that we were able to put two goals in early. 

Michigan Tech will have tomorrow off before resuming play in Minnesota Sunday (Sept. 6). The Huskies travel to face St. Cloud State for a 1 p.m. ET kickoff.