ELMHURST, Ill. -- The Augustana Vikings women's soccer team opened CCIW play Wednesday, battling the Elmhurst Bluejays to a 2-0 defeat.
The Vikings came out with early offensive pressure, creating the first opportunity of the night in the 13th minute. Skylar Swanson put a shot toward the bottom center of the net, but Elmhurst made the save to keep the match scoreless. Augie continued to search for an opening as the first half progressed. Iara Moscovich and Kristen Getz each registered shots, while goalkeeper Sara Schinker kept the Bluejays off the scoreboard with a first-half save. Neither side could find the breakthrough, sending the teams into halftime tied at 0-0.
Elmhurst increased its pressure coming out of the break, and the Bluejays eventually broke through in the 66th minute to give Elmhurst a 1-0 advantage. Just over five minutes later, the home team struck again, doubling the Bluejays' lead. The Vikings continued to battle and created opportunities late in the match. Getz tested the Bluejays in the 82nd minute, but the Elmhurst goalkeeper came up with another save to preserve the shutout.
The Vikings finished the night with four shots, including two on goal, while Elmhurst recorded nine shots and five corner kicks. Schinker played all 90 minutes in goal for Augustana and made one save.
With the result, Augustana moves to 3-3-2 overall and 0-1-0 in CCIW play. The Vikings return home Saturday, Sept. 26, when they host Carroll at Thorson-Lucken Field at 1 p.m.
