Women's First Team Wins Home Opener 4-1

Edgewater Castle FC’s Women’s First Team defeated Indiana United 4-1 March 24 at the club’s first ever match at Hoyne Field. Player of the match Jocelyn Leigh led the Rooks with two goals on six shots.

The Women's First Team approaches their fans after beating Indiana United 4-1. Credit: Tyler Navas

Goals:

Rooks: Sengstock 34’, Leigh 35’, Leigh 57’, Olsen 77’ 

Indiana United: 33’ 

The Rooks started the match with ample opportunities to score, but Indiana United’s goalkeeper made several saves, totaling 13 throughout the whole match. Both teams struggled to get things going before Indiana United scored the first goal in the 33rd minute from deep in the field. 

Cameron Sengstock pushes forward in front of Indiana United's goal. Credit: Tyler Navas

Cameron Sengstock tied the match at one minute later after receiving a pass through the middle from Molly Pistorius and sending it into the bottom left of the net in the 34th minute. Just a minute later, Indiana United’s goalkeeper dropped a pass, which Leigh picked up and drove right past the keeper, giving the Rooks a 2-1 lead. 

Scout Murray (center right) battles with Indiana United player Alexis Gonzalez for the ball. Credit: Tyler Navas

Following an additional minute of play and three Indiana United saves, the Rooks maintained their lead and power going into halftime at 2-1, with a positive energy looming over the Rooks.

Women's First Team Captain Lauren Hall passes the ball forward. Credit: Tyler Navas

The Rooks opened the second half with three corner kicks and five shots in the first 11 minutes. A pass from Lauren Hall found an open Leigh down the pitch and kicked the ball past a flying goalkeeper for her second goal of the game in the 56th minute. 

Player of the match Jocelyn Leigh (center right) celebrates her goal with her team. Credit: Tyler Navas

Indiana United took multiple shots off target in an attempt to close the gap, and were backed by their goalkeeper stopping crucial Rooks’ shots with multiple dives. 

Emily Olsen (center left) celebrates her free kick goal with her teammates. Credit: Tyler Navas

After Indiana United Player Alexis Gonzalez received a yellow card for a trip, Emily Olsen was awarded a free kick, which curved to hit the high left side of the net, giving the Rooks a 4-1 lead in the 77th minute. 

The Rooks still kept pressuring into the Indiana United third, but their shots were off target or saved by Indiana United’s goalkeeper. Indiana United was unable to catch up to the Rooks, as the full time ended with a 4-1 win. 

Women's First Team Head Coach Emma Woodley (center) approaches fans after the game. Credit: Tyler Navas

Head coach Emma Woodley said she was proud with how the team performed, even through the slower beginning of the match. 

“We’re really excited,” Woodley said. “I think the team really responded well. We had a shaky start — I think it was nerves, excitement. Overall, we responded [to the Indiana United pressure] really well, showed up and did our thing.” 

The Women’s First Team has their next match away on March 31 in Crystal Lake, against the Crystal Lake Force at 7 p.m. 

Rooky celebrates the W! Credit: Tyler Navas