LADY RAIDERS FALL TO JOHNSON UNIVERSITY

The Roane State women's soccer team battled, but ultimately came up short Thursday night, August 21, dropping a 4-0 decision to the Johnson University Lady Royals in a non-conference matchup at home.

The loss moved the Lady Raiders to 1-2 on the season. Despite the setback, head coach Donnie Green pointed to his team's effort and growth against what he described as one of the most athletic opponents on the schedule.

"I told the team going in that Johnson was going to be fast, physical, and quick to the ball — a lot different than Bluefield," Green said. "But I was very proud of my team because they never gave up. They never let down, and they kept competing until the final whistle."

The Lady Royals applied consistent pressure in the attacking third, forcing freshman goalkeeper Addison Roberts into action throughout the match. Roberts, part of the "Kingston Trio" of Roane State freshmen, finished with 15 saves while facing a flurry of shots.

"She made some outstanding plays to keep us in it," Green said. "A couple of those goals were unstoppable, and then we made some mistakes on the others. But Addison was solid again, and that's what we need."

Roane State recorded six shots on frame but could not break through offensively. Green said he was encouraged by stretches early in the match where his team pressed forward and forced Johnson onto its heels.

"The first five or six minutes, we had them pushed back and created some chances," Green said. "We were passing and combining, moving the ball well. But we struggled to finish, and against a team like this, you've got to capitalize."

Johnson led 2-0 at halftime before adding two more goals after the break. Green credited his squad for tightening defensively in the second half and limiting the Lady Royals' runs into the box.

"They did a really good job in the first half of getting numbers into the box and using some misdirection to confuse us," Green explained. "In the second half, we buckled down and adjusted, and that was encouraging."

After facing a gauntlet of strong non-conference opponents in the first week of the season, Green believes his young team is gaining the kind of experience that will pay off in conference play.

"You either win or you learn, and we're learning from this," Green said. "When the opposing coach tells me afterward that our midfielders played really well and moved the ball around, that's encouraging. We're more confident this year, and I think we're going to be ready once league play starts."

The Lady Raiders now turn their attention to their first TCCAA conference game of the year against Chattanooga State at home on Sunday, August 24. The matchup is one that Green sees as valuable preparation for the weeks ahead.

"I think this will help us get ready," he said. "We've played three tough teams to start, and once we get into conference play, we'll be facing freshmen and sophomores like us, not teams loaded with juniors and seniors. That's going to make a difference."

Final: Johnson University 4, Roane State 0

Shots on frame: RSCC 6
Saves: Addison Roberts (RSCC), 15

Record: Roane State 1-2