WOMEN’S SOCCER

A new season brought a new level of drama for the Huntington women’s soccer team. The Foresters opened the 2026 campaign Thursday afternoon with a 3-2 road victory over Brescia University at Deaconess Sports Park, overcoming a 2-0 lead that slipped away before finding the winner with just 73 seconds remaining.

Senior Sophie Shepherd delivered the fireworks, scoring all three Forester goals to register a rare hat trick. For a Forester squad that went 7-9 a year ago, the victory also provided an early statement against a Brescia team coming off an 11-6-1 campaign.

“I had so much fun competing today and helping lead our team to a well-deserved 3-2 win,” said Shepherd. “More than anything, I’m proud of the way we fought for each other and showed what this team is capable of. Today was a glimpse of who we are and what we’re bringing to the table this season. There’s something really special about this group, and I couldn’t be more excited to spend my senior season competing alongside these amazing teammates. We’re just getting started.”

Shepherd wasted little time putting the Foresters on the board. In the eighth minute, the 5-4 forward ran onto a through ball and blistered a shot side netting from outside the box to give HU an early 1-0 advantage.

Just over seven minutes later, Shepherd struck again. After intercepting a pass from Brescia’s center back, she raced in alone and calmly slotted her shot far post, pushing Huntington’s lead to 2-0 just 14:28 into the afternoon.

The Bearcats, however, refused to go quietly. Ana Victorica answered in the 20th minute before Allana Colen Porto knotted the match at 2-2 with just over a minute remaining in the opening half.

The Foresters continued to control the offensive tempo despite the momentum swing. Huntington finished the afternoon with a commanding 22-10 advantage in shots, including an 8-7 edge in shots on goal.

On the other end of the pitch, junior keeper Macie Sanders provided the final line of defense for the Foresters. Sanders made five saves, including three in the second half, to keep the match level and give HU a chance to find its breakthrough.

Then, with the clock approaching 90 minutes, Shepherd delivered one more time.

In the 89th minute, Shepherd battled a Brescia defender for a 50/50 ball, winning the duel (and nutmegging her opponent in the process), before unleashing the decisive strike outside the box to send the Foresters home with a victory.

It was a fitting opening chapter to the final season of Huntington’s stately forward, who has led HU in scoring in each of her first three seasons.

“Bigger then the win today was the mental win,” said second-year coach Keaton Albert. “This team, in the last 48 hours, faced more challenges that would have served as fine excuses for them to give up. But they overcame, together with energy, grit and positivity. I’m proud of the level-headed approach of the players, internal leadership and external support.”

The victory is Huntington’s first on opening day since 2021, when the Foresters defeated IU South Bend 6-0.

HU (1-0) returns to King Stadium Wednesday for its home opener against IU South Bend. Kickoff is set for 5:00 p.m.