Takoma Park, MD – The Washington Adventist University (WAU) women's soccer team faced a tough start to their 2024 season, falling 2-0 to Patrick Henry College in their home opener on September 17 at the WAU Turf Field. Despite a determined effort on both ends of the field, the Shock could not break through Patrick Henry's defense and ultimately came up short to open the season.

The first half was a tightly contested battle, with both teams working to gain control of the midfield. WAU's defense held strong early on, keeping Patrick Henry's attacking pressure at bay. Goalkeeper Naldy Gonzalez made several key saves to keep the scoreline leveled at 0-0 heading into halftime.

In the second half, WAU came out eager for their first goal, creating several scoring opportunities. The Shock pushed forward in search of a goal but were unable to convert their opportunities. Patrick Henry's defense remained organized and resilient, stopping WAU's attempts to get on the scoreboard.

As the Shock continued to press forward, Patrick Henry capitalized on their depth, scoring two goals in the 54th and 76th minutes to extend their lead to 2-0. Despite WAU's efforts to mount a late comeback, they could not find the net before the final whistle.

Gonzalez was a standout for WAU, recording eleven saves to keep the team within striking distance throughout the match. Dulce Salces also played a critical role in keeping Patrick Henry's offense contained for much of the game. Offensively, Keily Lazo, Katy Jiminez, Evelyn Chica, and Iren Freire created several chances but were ultimately unable to break through Patrick Henry's strong defensive line.

With the loss, WAU starts the season 0-1. The Shock will look to bounce back in their next match hosting the College of Southern Maryland on Sunday, September 22 at 3:00 p.m. As the season progresses, WAU is eager to build on their early performances and turn their hard work into results.

For more information on WAU women's soccer, follow us on Instagram at @waushock and @wauwsoccer.