Converse University

SPARTANBURG, S.C. – After each team scored a goal in the first ten minutes of the second half, the Converse University women's soccer team (0-0-1) drew 1-1 with the Newberry College Wolves (0-0-1) in Saturday afternoon's contest at Weisiger Stadium.

Freshman Sofía Casares Herrasti made her first career start against the Wolves, recording four saves on nine shots, five on-goal, faced. She played all 90 minutes.

Including Casares Herrasti, the Valkyries had seven players in the starting lineup who were making their first appearance in purple and gold: junior Brianna Berry, junior Sierra Criner, junior Varinia Delgado, freshman Abbey Griffin, sophomore Tatiana Martinez and junior Charlie Morgan. Six additional players made their first appearance for the Valkyries off of the bench: freshman Catherine Clark, freshman Kaitlyn Dibert, junior Madison Dibert, freshman Caroline Mercuri, freshman Keira Smylie and freshman Nyla Vang.

The teams attempted just five shots combined in the first half. Both of Newberry's came in the final five minutes of the half, with Casares Herrasti saving both.

Just over ten minutes into the second half, Newberry's Ellie King scored the team's first goal of the season.

With exactly 30 minutes remaining in the match, senior McKenzie Bundy passed the ball perfectly into the box and found the head of transfer junior Criner, who headed the ball past the outstretched arms of the Wolves' keeper.

The Wolves attempted five more shots the rest of the way, with only two being on-target and both being saved. Criner attempted to give Converse the lead with just under 14 minutes to play, but Newberry's goalkeeper could not be bested twice and the teams settled for a 1-1 draw.

Next up for the Valkyries:
Converse heads on the road for an early-season test against the No. 20 Lander Bearcats. Kickoff in Greenwood is scheduled for 5 P.M.

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