DUE WEST, S.C. – The Erskine College women's soccer team (0-1) was defeated by Coker University (1-0-1) by a score of 1-0 to begin the 2023 season on Wednesday night at Huggins Field. Sophomore goalkeeper Braeden Johnson made a career-high 15 saves, but the Fleet were undone by a 76th-minute winner from the Cobras.

THE ESSENTIALS 
Conf. Carolinas Table | Stats | Scores
Div. II Scores | Record Book | CC Digital Network

HOW IT HAPPENED
Erskine began its 2023 campaign at home against non-conference opponent, Coker University, as the teams faced off in Due West for the second consecutive season. The visiting Cobras dominated possession and created a majority of the chances from the opening kickoff throughout the first half, but the Fleet defense held firm with the help of goalkeeper Braeden Johnson, who tallied nine saves in a scoreless opening half. Johnson continued her heroics in the second half, making four more stops, and suddenly the moment the Erskine attack was waiting for occurred in the 64th minute. A bouncing ball was played into the path of Jordan Schuhlein, who's first touch and pace immediately took her away from the Coker defenders, forcing one of the Cobras to grab Schuhlein's jersey from behind, leading to a Fleet free kick. Mike De Zanger fired a shot directly off the free kick that was heading into the top right corner, but the Coker goalkeeper scurried over and pushed the shot over the crossbar. For the next few minutes, the match hung in the balance, with the Fleet having more of the ball. However, in the 76th minute, a Cobras defender lobbed a ball over the top of the Erskine back line and a deflection took it into the path of Coker's Catrionna Manning, who lifted the ball over the outrushing Johnson and nestled it in the back of the net of the right post. The Fleet continued to fight in search of an equalizer but came up just short in their season opener.

THE PLAYER
Despite the loss, sophomore goalkeeper Braeden Johnson began her season with a career performance, totaling 15 saves, the most by any Erskine goalkeeper since Cheyenne Fuller's 16 stops back in the 2019 season.

THE TEAM
Coker outshot Erskine 25 to 3 and had a 16 to 1 advantage in shots on goal.

WHAT'S NEXT?
Erskine continues its five-match home stretch to begin the 2023 season with its conference opener against Francis Marion University (2-0) on Saturday at 2 p.m. Erskine took down FMU, 1-0, in the teams' first ever meeting back in 2021 in Due West, but the Patriots won by a score of 2-0 in Florence in last year's regular season finale.

MORE ABOUT THE ERSKINE COLLEGE FLYING FLEET

    Visit the Official Home of Erskine Athletics at www.erskinesports.com
  
    Follow us on Social Media – Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | Photos