Belles Unable to Generate Offense Against Brits

Box Score

• Thallia Robles made 16 saves in goal.
• Ten of those saves came in the first half.
• Callie Doyle and Shayleigh O'Donnell each had a shot for the Belles

ALBION, Mich. - The Saint Mary's soccer team fell in their conference opener at Albion by a 4-0 final score on Wednesday evening.

The Brits set the tempo early. Albion put seven shots on goal over the opening 27 minutes of play, but Thallia Robles came up with seven consecutive saves to keep the game deadlocked 0-0. In the 28th minute, however, the Brits broke through with the first goal of the game. Albion doubled their lead four minutes later with a goal in the 32nd minute of action. Robles came up with another save late in the half to keep Saint Mary's within striking distance going into the break.

Albion quickly added to the lead to open the second period of play as the Brits pulled ahead 3-0 in the 55th minute. Callie Doyle nearly put the Belles on the scoreboard with a shot on goal with 29:14 still remaining in the contest, but the freshman had her shot turned aside. The Brits added their fourth goal of the contest with just over 15 minutes remaining on the clock. Shayleigh O'Donnell fired a shot four minutes later, but her effort was off the mark wide as the offense was unable to find the back of the net for the Belles.

"We were out worked and out played," said head coach Jesse Urquhart. "We made simple mistakes tonight. Credit Albion for capitalizing on them. We will learn from this as we begin preparations for Olivet on Saturday."

Thallia Robles registered 16 saves, including 10 in the first half, in goal for the Belles. Her 16 saves marks the most saves by a Saint Mary's goalkeeper in a game since the 2010 season while the 10 first-half saves were the most since a 2009 contest. Callie Doyle and Shayleigh O'Donnell each tallied a shot for the Belles.

The Belles (1-2, 0-1 MIAA) are back in action on Saturday, September 10 when they host Olivet for a conference contest beginning at noon.