QUEENS, N.Y. - The Bloomsburg women's soccer team got off to a well-earned winning start Thursday evening with a 1-0 win on the road against Queens (NY).

Despite a 9-5 difference in shots, the Huskies controlled the run of play for most of the afternoon with assertive attacking play, taking advantage of speed and space in the final third to keep the Knights reeling for most of the contest. 

Bloomsburg netted the decisive goal in the 25th minute, capitalizing on a set-piece routine to come out on top. Anna Dalesandro (Robesonia, Pa./Conrad Weiser) took the mantle over the ball. The delivery snuck over a set of initial heads before falling in line with Daryn Savage (Bensalem, Pa./Archbishop Wood) for the second of her career.

How It Happened:
Thursday's contest opened without a shot past the 20-minute mark. After their initial round of substitutions, the Huskies began to creep up the pitch with a series of throw-ins before eventually drawing the ever-critical corner. From there, Dalesandro and Savage did what was needed to put Bloomsburg out in front.

The Huskies did not let up in the moments following the goal, quickly searching for the chance to double their advantage. Olivia Thompson (Pottstown, Pa./Owen J. Roberts) was on the end of two chances eight minutes after the score, forcing a pair of stops out of Queens goalkeeper Samantha Hines-Hirsch. The pressure in the final third led to a quick change of possession in the 39th minute, leading to a chance from the penalty spot for Bloomsburg. To the dismay of the Huskies, the shot from the spot went wide left as the score remained 1-0.  

The Knights made efforts to get forward into Bloosmburg's half and final third, but the hosts were deftly turned away. The Huskies' defense was staunch through the opening 45 minutes of the season, keeping Queens without a shot on goal. 

The offensive efforts from Bloomsburg continued to show themselves from the jump in the second half. Emma Wilkinson's (Smithtown, N.Y./Smithtown West) presence along the left wing saw the senior in position for two attempts on net, forcing a save out of Queens in the 52nd minute. Freshman Haley Bull (Bloomsburg, Pa./Central Columbia) got the nod to open the second half and put her first career shot attempt on goal with her efforts through the middle. The Knights' halftime adjustments saw the hosts find paths into the Huskies' defense, with midfielder Grace Kinney recording the first two shots of the match for Queens while settling goalkeeper Samantha Merklin (Effort, Pa./Pleasant Valley) into the match with a pair of routine saves. 

The relentless attacking nature displayed by Bloomsburg continued to create opportunities deep in the hosts' end. A pair of free kicks eventually gave way to a direct attempt from Anika Krasnai (Lancaster, Pa./Manheim Township). The winger took an explosive dribble down the right side and stepped into a ball that was just off the mark from trickling into the top right corner. 

A pair of awry shot attempts did not faze the Huskies as the game continued into the latter stages. Manageable chances at goal continued to see the game go back and forth, with play dominated around midfield into the latter stages. In the end, Bloomsburg did enough on both ends of the pitch.

Numbers of Note:

8 - The Huskies have made it a habit of getting off to strong starts in season openers. Bloomsburg women's soccer is undefeated in its last eight contests to open, posting a 7-0-1 record in those games since 2017.

10 - A strength the Huskies will look to lean on is returning continuity. Despite losing a number of players last season who started double-digit contests, Bloomsburg returns several players with significant game experience. 10 of the 11 members of the Huskies' starting lineup on Thursday for the opener got on the pitch at least 14 times in 2024.

On the Horizon:
The Bloomsburg women's soccer team hosts its home opener on Saturday, September 6, at 1:00 p.m., welcoming West Virginia State to Steph Pettit Stadium.