Despite dominant second half, Scots fall at Kutztown

Edinboro’s women’s soccer team lost 2-0 at Kutztown Saturday, falling to 2-6 overall and 1-6 in conference play. 

Kutztown opened scoring a little over 10 minutes into the game. They also scored the second and last goal of the game when Rachel Rizzo converted on a header in the 31st minute. The half ended 2-0. 

Neither team was able to score in the second half. ‘Boro did experience a second wind, earning nine corner kicks and nine shots on goal. They outshot the Golden Bears 9-8, but Head Soccer Coach Gary Kagiavas said Edinboro played even better than those statistics would suggest. 

“In the second half we had [nine] corners, if you look at stats, and that’s an issue,” he said of the team being unable to score. “I don’t understand how they said it was 9-8 in the second half when we completely dominated.” 

He continued: “I just think we actually stuck to the game plan, and we were able to be a little more tenacious in the second half. You know, when you go to play these higher ranked teams with 7-1 records, it takes a little bit of time to believe, and as the game went on we believed we were better and that’s the difference.”

Kagiavas said the team is playing better than usual this early in the season and is close to breaking out and going on a win streak.

 “We’re competing with the best teams in the region [and] we’re just not scoring, which is a pretty big thing,” he said. “Sometimes it’s just the better luck. It’s better luck, and I’m not saying [the other teams only won due to] luck, I’m saying...even the brilliant shots we hit, the keepers are making brilliant saves. 

“Sometimes a keeper might miss one and it’ll go in and you got the break, then that’s what you need to get you on a roll. Unfortunately for us, even the great shots that should go in, the keepers [are] making a brilliant save.”

Erica Burkholder can be reached at sports.spectator@gmail.com.

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