Last Saturday in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, The Blackburn College Women’s Soccer Team won their first match of the season as part of Alverno College’s Inferno Cup.  Blackburn’s opponent was Lakeland College of Sheboygan, Wisconsin.  The match began in disappointing fashion as the Muskies broke free with a breakaway in the 6^th minute to take an early lead.  Sophomore Christin Miller tied the match one timing a cross past the Muskies keeper in the 28^th minute.  Senior Christy Hobbs and freshman Skylar Burgar were both credited with assists on the play.  Unfortunately the Muskies regained the lead before halftime with another breakaway goal in the 40^th minute.  Despite trailing 2-1, the Beavers came out with great enthusiasm in the second half.  Freshman Makayla Ewing tied the match just 22 seconds into the 2^nd half as she finished another cross delivered by Hobbs.  Miller gave Blackburn the lead for good in the 57^th minute as she dribbled around multiple defenders before finishing a low shot past the goalkeeper.  In the 62^nd minute Blackburn added another goal as freshman Maya March’s headball on a corner kick got by the Muskie defense on the goalline.  The goal was credited as an own goal.  March was officially granted her first collegiate goal in the 82^nd minute as she volleyed home a cross from Burgar to round out the scoring giving Blackburn a 5-2 victory. Freshman Becca Richards and Ashley Hoban split time in goal recording a combined five saves. BlackburnTwenty one players saw action in the match for Blackburn as the team pushed their record to 1-3-1.

Sunday saw Blackburn playing the host school in the final match of the Inferno Cup.  Once again a slow start plagued the Beavers.  Alverno capitalized on a loose ball and scored just 3 minutes into the match.  The inferno would add more goals in the 16^th, 18^th, and 37^th minutes of the half as they jumped out to a 4-0 lead.  Ewing put Blackburn on the scoreboard in the 39^th minute and it seemed as if Blackburn may be up for another comeback.  Unfortunately Blackburn was unable to execute a penalty kick and several other opportunities leading into halftime.  The second half was played without much flow for either team.  After five goals were scored in the opening half the teams played to scoreless tie in the closing half to have the score end up Alverno 4, Blackburn 1.  The match was quite physical with a total of 27 fouls being whistled.  The loss dropped Blackburn’s record to 1-4-1.