ST. LOUIS – It only took just over two minutes for the Maryville women's soccer team to take a 2-0 lead against the Northwest Missouri State Bearcats on a very hot and humid Friday afternoon. Despite a response in the first half by the visitors, the Saints defense held on for a 2-1 win for their second-straight victory heading into Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) play.
 
Elsa Nilson-Hurtig (00:28) and Ashlyne Hunt (02:02) were the goal scorers for the Saints, with the dynamic duo from the past season both earning their first goals of the year.
 

HOW IT HAPPENED
Relentless offense was the name of the game for the Saints as just 30 seconds into the game, a pass from Allison Estanich led to the Nilson-Hurtig goal. The aggression kept going from there as Hunt buried her own in the 2nd minute, Emily Doane grabbing the assist.
 
Doane wasn't done there as the sophomore rattled off two more shots before the 10 minute mark.
 
All it took was one shot for the visitors as a header found the back of the net in the 18th minute to bring it within one.
 
More Saints shots came from Doane and Ashtyn Fry in the first half but the score stayed 2-1. Tough chances came from both sides, with Maryville mustering up ten shots in the second 45, but being unable to find the dagger, settling for the 2-1 result.
 
COACHES' CORNER
Head Coach Lori Lawson on the fast paced offense..
"The pressure all over the field [was big]. It is hot, and we have to defend well as a unit, because we don't want to run a whole lot. So it was great to get the early lead and we could sit on that and take a little bit of the pressure off the rest of the game.

Lawson on the growth of the backline…
"The defense all season has been great, especially for a young back line. But what I love is they show a lot of grit, they're a hard-working backline and that is going to take us far this season. They still have a lot of growth yet in them, so it's exciting."

UP NEXT
The Saints begin GLVC play Sunday, battling Southwest Baptist at 12 p.m. CT in St. Louis.