By Mia Gallagher · Sports Editor
After a productive offseason and successful preseason, the Grove City women’s soccer team opened their 2025 program with a 2-2 draw last Friday against the R.I.T. Tigers and a 0-2 setback against the Nazareth Flyers on Saturday.
These matches mark the start of a daunting non-conference schedule designed to test the reigning PAC champions ahead of conference play, which will commence later this month. Despite the challenges faced in their season openers, the team remains confident that these struggles will pave the way for success down the road.
“Our upcoming non-conference games are going to be against some tough opponents, but they are going to be very good for us as a team. We’ll be able to learn more about the way our teammates play in hard games and benefit from the tough competition. It will definitely be a battle, but I believe we can pull off some wins,” sophomore forward Kiara White said.
“We wanted our season to be this way, and to go up against teams that were going to push us out of our comfort zone, so that way we are prepared when heading into PAC play,” junior midfielder Emma Dailey added.
Dailey and White both contributed to the scoring effort in the 2-2 decision against R.I.T. – each notching goals in what proved to be an evenly matched competition. Minutes into the match, Dailey received a perfectly threaded assist from freshman forward Lauren Muhanna, giving the Wolverines an early 1-0 lead.
“It was an awesome feeling to contribute to the team not just through the goals, but to be able to finish on an opportunity that the hard work from our teammates provided for us is awesome! Being able to score was just a cherry on top to be honest,” Dailey said.
After conceding a goal to the Tigers later in the first half, White punched in her unassisted goal to regain the lead before halftime.
“It feels great to be able to contribute to the team and put all the hard work from preseason to use. We’re also such a tight knit group of girls, so not only am I scoring for my team, but I’m also scoring for my friends,” White said.
The Tigers broke through the Wolverines’ defense late in the second half to even the slate, giving way to the 2-2 fi R.I.T. held an edge in both shots (18-3) and shots on goal (9-3) over the Wolverines, keeping junior goalkeeper Maddie Mills, who recorded seven saves, busy in her first collegiate start.
Though the team struggled against Nazareth’s strong defensive front in their Saturday setback, an impressive defensive stand allowed the Wolverines to hold the Flyers, who held an 18-3 edge in shots, to only two goals.
“We have a really solid and established defensive line with all returning players. On the offensive end we mostly have new faces, so it will take a bit of time to learn how each other play and form some connections as a group on the field,” White explained.
“It will take some time, but as we play together, practice and even just hang out, we’ll strengthen our bonds as a team and learn to work well together. I’m excited to see what the team is going to look like in the next couple months as we continue to learn about each other and work together,” she said.
The Wolverines will open their home schedule tomorrow, Sept. 6 against Case Western Reserve University. Action will begin at 1 p.m. on Don Lyle Field.
