Lakers Control Cougars For First Win On Season

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. – Roosevelt dominated at both ends of the field Monday morning to earn its first win of the season with a 2-0 victory over Cleary at Morris Field.

The Cougars earned two early chances, but otherwise were mostly kept pinned into their own half for much of the game. The Lakers (1-2-0) squandered a few opportunities early as well, but Daisy Hernandez-Loya made Roosevelt's first corner kick of the match count. Paola Macias added the insurance tally late in the second half to finish off the win.

Roosevelt held a 14-3 advantage in shot attempts in the first half and forced 10 saves out of the Cleary goalkeeper in the first 45 minutes. The Lakers had several chances to open the scoring, but either misfired on shots or failed to connect on that final pass. Then in the 24^th minute, the Lakers won a corner kick and Brenna Rohloff lofted a ball perfectly into the box. Hernandez-Loya rose above the crowd and headed the cross into the middle of the net for her first goal of the season.

Hernandez-Loya was credited with four shots on goal in the game and was determined to score a second goal in the second half. She had a pair of golden chances go by the wayside, one on a kick save from the Cougars goalie and a second that she mishit and sent right at the keeper. Macias also registered three shots on frame as the Lakers finished with 15 of their 23 shot attempts actually reaching the goal.

Cleary actually had the first chance of the game, but sophomore Roxana Herrera came up with the first of her two saves to deny the Cougars just five minutes into the match. From there, Roosevelt asserted full control of the match and put plenty of pressure on the Cleary defense. After Hernandez-Loya's goal, the Cougars were able to withstand the pressure despite some close calls.

However, Macias put the game away in the 82^nd minute with a gorgeous run through the middle of the field, ending with a finish from 20 yards out that eluded the goalkeeper. The Lakers nearly added a third a few moments later, but Darien Lucas' drive just swerved left at the last minute to miss the post.

The Lakers return to action on Sept. 11 with a trip to NCAA Division III North Park at 7 p.m. in Chicago.