Ferris State Soccer Suffers Weather-Delayed Setback In Season Opener

Ferris State Soccer Suffers Weather-Delayed Setback In Season Opener

Big Rapids, Mich. - The Ferris State University women's soccer team battled hard, but came out on the short end of a 2-0 decision versus Truman State (Mo.) on Friday (Sept. 5) in the Bulldogs' 2014 season opener at the Ramada Plaza Invitational in Allendale, Mich.

Truman State, which reached the NCAA Tournament a year ago, scored a pair of goals in the opening half and held the Bulldogs scoreless in the first day of the event hosted by defending national champion Grand Valley State. The contest was delayed for two hours due to weather for a portion of the match.

Both TSU goals came from Alexis Heffernan, including an unassisted tally for the first goal of the contest only 8:35 into play. Her shot on a breakaway got past FSU sophomore goalkeeper Savanna Wojtanowski in the bottom left corner.

Heffernan then added a second goal at 15:03 of the first half on a shot from the center of the box off a feed from Allison Lockett, who notched her first assist of the year.

Truman State's Heffernan tallied a contest-best eight total shots, including six on goal, as the victors held a commanding 20-3 edge in total attempts. Casey Shauman paced Ferris State with two of the Bulldogs' three shots on the day.

Wojtanowski played the initial half for FSU and totaled three saves in 45 minutes of action with Maddie Haustein playing the second half and making five saves in 45 minutes as well.

Meanwhile, Nicole Sparks picked up the shutout win for Truman State with a single save in 90 minutes of work.

TSU had three corner kick tries to none for Ferris State and the Bulldogs finished with nine fouls to seven for Truman State. FSU was also called for offsides twice in the match.

The Bulldogs will face another NCAA Tournament team from a year ago in Quincy (Ill.) on Sunday (Sept. 7) to wrap up the Ramada Plaza Invitational in Allendale. Match time is set for 11:30 a.m. (ET) at the GVSU Soccer Field.