(GREEN BAY ATHLETICS) – DAYTON, OHIO – The Green Bay women’s soccer team is moving on in the Horizon League Championships after knocking off No. Seeded Wright State by a comfortable 3-1 margin. The semifinal appearance is the first for the Phoenix since the 2021 season.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Phoenix capitalized early in a big way, in the 18th minute, where just one game after her first assist, Junior Nell Smith scored the first goal of her career on the biggest stage to put Green Bay on top 1-0. The goal was unassisted. Wright State would find an answer deep into the first half, as Addy Canter knocked in the Raiders’ first score from an assist by Caitlin Burger in the 39th minute of the match. With just 18 seconds remaining in the 45th minute before the half, Charlise Smith found her first point of the season as she connected with freshman Bella Brozek, who scored her fourth goal of the season to give the Phoenix the 2-1 edge at the break.
It wasn’t long before the Phoenix found another score, this time at the hands of their leading scorer and All-League Third Team player Senah Hanes, who rifled in a goal from Laney Stark in the 58th minute. The Raiders gave themselves multiple chances in the final moments of the game, registering four shots in the last seven minutes, but the Phoenix secured the win to move on.
GAME NOTES
- The Phoenix earned their first Horizon League Championships victory since a 4-0 win over Cleveland State on Oct. 31, 2021.
- Smith’s 18th-minute goal was the first of her collegiate career.
- Green Bay narrowly outshot Wright State 11 to 10 and led the Raiders with an overwhelming ten shots on goal to five.
- Hanes adds to her team-leading points total, with five total goals and 14 points.
- Brozek’s fourth goal of the season moves her into a tie for second most on GB with Laney Stark.
COMING UP
The No. 5-seeded Green Bay Phoenix will continue their Horizon League Championship hunt as they match up against the No. 2-seeded Northern Kentucky Norse in Milwaukee on Thursday, with kick-off scheduled for 4 p.m. CT.
Phoenix volleyball absorbs a loss: On Saturday afternoon, the Green Bay volleyball team fell in straight sets to Northern Kentucky (13-25, 26-28, 19-25) at Regents Hall.
Despite a strong effort in the second frame, the Phoenix couldn’t overcome the Norse’s efficient attack and consistent defensive play. Katie Schulz led Green Bay with 11 kills, while Diane Pichelman added 10 kills on .320 hitting. Setter Emma Johnson tallied 23 assists and seven digs, and Emma Best anchored the back row with 7 digs. Johnson’s 19th assist of the day was the 2,000th of her career.
For Northern Kentucky, Sydney Bray led a balanced offense once again with 11 kills, while Ivey Stocks and Allison Risley each added 10. Setter Abbigail Pickard directed the Norse attack with 40 assists and added seven digs.
HOW IT HAPPENED
SET 1 | Northern Kentucky jumped out ahead quickly, opening a 13-4 lead and never looking back in a dominant 25-13 win to start the match.
SET 2 | Green Bay responded with energy, battling point-for-point in the most competitive set of the day. The Phoenix led late at 22-20 before the Norse rallied to edge out a 28-26 victory to take a 2-0 lead.
SET 3 | The Norse regained control in the third, using steady offense and timely blocks to close out the match with a 25-19 decision.
GAME NOTES
Green Bay: 32 kills | .186 hitting percentage
Northern Kentucky: 48 kills | .288 hitting percentage
Aces: GB 3 | NKU 7
Blocks: GB 5 | NKU 7
Assists: Johnson (GB) – 23 | Pickard (NKU) – 40
Digs: Best (GB) – 7 | Cluxton (NKU) – 19
UP NEXT
Green Bay will be heading home to the Kress Event Center to face the IU Indy Jaguars on Nov. 7 & 8 to close out their home Horizon League slate.
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