OTTAWA, Kan. - While the goals were not nearly as free-flowing on Wednesday, Ottawa dominated the shot line on Wednesday with a 9-2 edge in shots on goal during a 2-1 win over the University of Saint Mary.
Lily Martin and
Charlotte Gatehouse struck for the Braves, with a consolation penalty kick in the 85th minute cutting the margin to one.
There was little question in the first half about which team was better, as Ottawa held possession for 67 percent of the opening 45 minutes, with two-thirds of that taking place in its attacking half.
The Braves put together some great chances in the opening moments, with
Peyton Hack forcing Bre'Ella DeMaranville to her right for a save in the 6th minute.
Melissa Grohmann picked up a chance in the 22nd minute, while Gatehouse nearly found net in the 23rd minute as her shot was pushed out for a corner kick.
Cennet Donohue had a hand in setting up the first Ottawa goal, as her effort in the 33rd minute was blocked out of play to set up a Braves corner.
Aracely Hernandez checked in alongside Martin, with Martin needing less than a minute to make her mark on the match as she was able to find an opening at the back post and body
Rylee Ringer's inswinging corner into the net.
Donohue nearly found net herself in the 41st minute, but her shot was collected by DeMaranville.
The Spires were able to find a little bit of momentum coming out of the break, but a great read by
Lena-Marie Winkler preserved the shutout, as the junior transfer came out aggressively to snare a cross.
USM's Avi Garrett almost delivered a super sub turn of her own in the 64th minute, but her shot was cleared off the line by a Braves defender.
Ottawa doubled its lead in the 75th minute from the foot of Gatehouse. The Braves midfield was able to force a turnover on a counterattack attempt, with
Laura Quijada collecting the loose ball. After dribbling through traffic, she found Gatehouse open on the right side, where the Allen County product finished near post.
In the 85th minute, a collection of bodies clattered together in the 18-yard box as USM's Yanella Romanlopez was trying to find space for a cross. The whistle sounded to award a penalty kick to the Spires, with Romanlopez sending Winkler to the left on the run up before finishing in the top right corner.
Ottawa was able to safely see out the match with another sustained burst of possession however, finishing with a 12-5 overall edge in shots.
The Braves hit the road for their next three matches, facing Bethel College on Saturday. Kickoff for the match is set for 11 a.m.
