The Embry-Riddle Eagles soared to a 3-1 victory over the Park University Buccaneers in a thrilling women's soccer match held on October 3, 2024, in Mesa, AZ. The Eagles dominated the first half, with Rae Yoshioka (Pearl City, Hawaii) scoring twice to give her team a comfortable lead.
The match started with both teams showing strong defensive play. However, the Eagles broke the deadlock in the 34th minute when Yoshioka found the back of the net, putting Embry-Riddle ahead. Yoshioka struck again just six minutes later, assisted by Tessa Updegraff (Albuquerque, N.M.) and Jamie Black (Tucson, Ariz.), to double the lead before halftime.
In the second half, the Eagles continued to press, and their efforts paid off in the 80th minute when Black scored, assisted by Katelyn Kelch (Tucson, Ariz.), making it 3-0. The Buccaneers managed to pull one back in the 83rd minute through Kiara Rubio, who was assisted by Dani Mares, but it was too little too late.
Embry-Riddle's defense, led by goalkeeper Annabelle Ruckle (Phoenix, Ariz.), held firm throughout the match, with Ruckle not needing to make a single save. On the other hand, Park University's goalkeeper, Morgan Trail, was kept busy, making ten saves to keep her team in the game.
The Eagles outshot the Buccaneers 22-5, with 13 of those shots on target. The Buccaneers struggled to create clear-cut chances, managing only one shot on goal, which resulted in their lone goal.