Danville, Ky. - Despite a late attempt comeback in the fourth quarter, Colonels fall in season opener to Depauw 4-2.
DePauw came out strong in the opening quarter, putting immediate pressure on Centre and controlling much of the early action. The Tigers broke through at 8:26, when Ella Harms scored the first goal of the game to give DePauw a 1–0 lead.
DePauw continued to attack, earning several penalty corners and creating additional scoring opportunities, Hannah Zaiser found the back of the net to extend the lead to 2–0. The Colonels attempted to generate offensive momentum, but only managed to record a single shot in the quarter, which went wide off the stick of Rylee Carothers. DePauw added another goal late in the period as Liza Flower scored to put the Tigers ahead 3–0 heading into the quarter break. DePauw's offensive pressure and ability to capitalize on scoring opportunities gave the Tigers a commanding early advantage.
Centre responded early in the second quarter, shifting momentum toward the Colonels. The Tigers created an early opportunity, earning a penalty corner at 29:36, but Centre quickly turned the pressure back in its favor. Midway through, the Colonels finally found the breakthough as Ashley Hamilton scored to cut DePauw's lead to 3–1. Centre continued to apply pressure, earning three consecutive penalty corners and forcing DePauw goalkeeper Tea Jerro into action. Just over a minute later, at 26:21, Jerro made a save on a shot from Olivia Vonderheide. Vonderheide did not let up as she was able to find the back of the net to make it a one-goal game at 3–2. The Tigers had several chances of their own, including shots from Flynn and Bourantas, but Centre goalkeeper, Eliza Hensley, and the Centre defense kept it 3-2 going into the half.
The third quarter stayed steady as the DePauw controlled much of the offense with several scoring chances and seven penalty corners. Hensley made multiple key saves to keep her team within one goal. Both teams received green cards, and Centre's Olivia Vonderheide forced a save from DePauw goalkeeper, Tea Jerro, late in the quarter. Neither team scored, leaving the score DePauw 3, Centre 2 heading into the final quarter.
Centre kept pressing to find a would-be equalizer, but DePauw held off Centre's comeback attempt and added another goal late in the game, to extend the lead to 4–2 and finish the night off via the same score.
The Colonels will be back in action on September 5th at 3:00 PM against Wittenberg. The game will once again be played at Andy Frye Stadium and streamed live on FloCollege.
