WOMEN’S SOCCER

Tuesday night marked the first time in program history the Forester women’s soccer team played under the lights at King Stadium but unfortunately it wasn’t the outcome they were banking on as the visiting Cougars of IU Kokomo came out on top 3-1.

Both teams fired off six shots in the first half but couldn’t find back netting for a 0-0 stalemate by intermission. Keely Hoopingarner was a one-person wrecking crew after that. Within a twenty-minute span starting in the 52nd minute, the senior forward scored three times for a hat trick.

It was a rollercoaster of emotion for the Foresters during the Cougars’ scoring frenzy as an HU goal was negated because of an offsides call after which Ireland Aerni denied Hoopingarner a PK only to be called for leaving the line early. Hoopingarner made good on her second PK attempt and then blistered a shot near post four minutes later for a 3-0 Cougar advantage.

Lewis’ gritty crew never gave up and was rewarded for their efforts in the 84th minute when Paige Weiss got her head on a ball served in from Ellie Cirrincione’s corner kick to break-up the shutout. The goal was her fifth of the season.

Shots were even at 12-12 with both squads also finishing with ten shots on frame. The loss drops Huntington to 3-2-1 on the year. Next up for HU is another home match on Thursday at 7:00 p.m. against IU East.