WOMEN’S SOCCER

The Huntington women’s soccer team picked up its first league win Wednesday night under the lights at Saint Francis by blanking their hosts 2-0. The shutout is HU’s second of the year as Lewis’ crew moves to 4-9 on the season, 1-4 in CL action. The loss is USF’s eighth straight as they drop to 2-10 overall, 0-5 in league play.

Sophomore Avery Giguere got HU off to a quick start when she forced a USF defender to cough up the ball and then slotted the keeper within the opening 90 seconds to give her team a lead that proved permanent. The goal was her fourth of the year.

Not long after, Kirstin Byrd padded the lead with a second goal. After a nice touch around her defender, the rookie forward took advantage of the breakaway to sneak one into the bottom corner at the 22-minute mark to double Huntington’s advantage.

The Foresters managed play after that to ride out the 2-0 lead for the win. HU finished with 13 shots to USF’s 14. Maddy Moan finished with seven saves to pick up the shutout win in frame.

“One of our objectives was to start quickly today and Avery’s early goal heled to set the tone,” said Coach Lewis. “Overall, we played some quality soccer and we were rewarded with the result.

“Alex Bryant and Kassidy Kreilach played exceptionally well in the back, along with Maddy in goal to secure the shutout.”

With tonight’s W, the Foresters are riding a three-game win streak over the Cougars. Next up for Huntington is another game under the lights Saturday night at Goshen.