Avila Blanked by Culver-Stockton in Season Opener

CANTON, Mo. - Avila kept things close throughout but the Eagles (0-1) ultimately never could find a breakthrough, and Culver-Stockton's (1-0) lone first half goal off a set piece was enough to spoil the Eagles' 2023 season opener on Saturday evening.  

It was yet another close, evenly played contest between the Eagles and the Wildcats over the last few years. Ultimately, the difference in the 2023 edition of the matchup between the two former HAAC foes was simple to determine: Culver scored one incredible goal off a corner kick in the first half, and Avila was never able to come up with an equalizer.  

Kenan Ebel got the start in goal for the Eagles and made a good early save, turning away Morgan Dierks Machado with both hands in the first ten minutes. The Wildcats were on the front foot for much of the game, and finally made that early pressure pay off when corner kick taker Maggie Tuxhorn blasted in a sweet strike from more than 20 yards out to put the Wildcats in front just over 20 minutes into the game.  

That would be the only goal the Wildcats would manage against the Eagles' new goalkeeping duo of Ebel and Olivia Seston, who split the halves in the season opener and combined to make five saves. On the other side of the pitch, top returning Wildcat goalkeeper Mackenzie Frizzell was a late scratch from the game, but the Eagles were not able to threaten backup keeper Rylee Loftus consistently.  

Newcomer Alessandra Calderon had the Eagles' only shot on goal in the first half, and Preseason All-KCAC selection Amaris Sigler had the Eagles' first chance in the second. But Avila's best chance came just north of 20 minutes into the second half, courtesy of freshman forward Nikkole Wood. Fresh into the game, Wood found herself in space and forced a good save from Loftus and the rebound fell right back to Wood, whose follow-up bid clanged off the post and went wide.  

The Eagles came that close to tying the game, but unfortunately, they never came that close again. Culver-Stockton held Avila without a corner kick attempt in the game, and the Wildcats were able to hold out for the 1-0 win in the season opener. Avila head coach Katie LaForge added 19 new players to her roster over the offseason, and a whopping 16 of them made their Avila debuts in the contest.  

The Eagles will have next to no turnaround time between their first and second games of the season: due to anticipated high temperatures in eastern Missouri on Sunday, Avila's game against Harris-Stowe will now kick off at 10 AM. Stay tuned to Avila's Women's Soccer and Avila Athletics on social media for updates on the Eagles all season long.