HELENA, Mont. — Despite holding a decisive edge in shots, the Carroll College Women's Soccer team was unable to find the back of the net on Saturday, falling 1-0 to Arizona Christian in their 2026 home opener on Valley Bank Field at Nelson Stadium.
The Fighting Saints (0-2-1) controlled much of the action, out-shooting the Firestorm 19-10 on the afternoon and 8-6 in shots on goal, but Arizona Christian goalkeeper Tayler Wonderly stood tall between the posts, finishing with eight saves.
Carroll didn't go down without a fight, as Rachel McAllister (Brier, Wash. / JR) and Gabrielle Lougen (Bozeman, Mont. / FR) each had multiple shots turned away in the first half, while Carmen Anderson (Missoula, Mont. / JR) and Emily Winters (Missoula, Mont. / JR)) tested Wonderly late in the second.
The lone goal of the day came late in the first half. Arizona Christian (1-0-0) broke through in the 36th minute, as Cadence Peroff put a perfectly placed shot into the top left corner, giving the visitors a lead they would not relinquish. The goal was one of just three shots the Firestorm managed throughout the opening 45 minutes, but would prove enough to get the job done.
Maria Ackerman (Billings, Mont. / SR) made five saves in goal for the Saints, including stops on Peroff and Krista Hardesty in the second half as ACU searched for a second goal to put the match away.
Carroll continues its season-opening homestand on Monday morning, hosting OUAZ at 9 a.m.
Visit www.carrollathletics.com for a full recap of that action, and to stay up to date with everything going on in Carroll Athletics.
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