WHEATON, Ill. -- Kelauna Cruz tied her career-best mark in saves, but it was not enough as LeTourneau women's soccer was defeated 2-0 by Wheaton College on Saturday evening at Joe Bean Stadium.

LeTourneau falls to 0-2, while Wheaton improves to 1-1.

Cruz, a junior from Magnolia, Texas, tied a career-high with 11 saves in the match, which she previously set on September 30, 2023 against Mary Hardin-Baylor. One save, in particular, deserves mention, as Cruz took a step to her left and sprang sideways to catch a shot headed for the top shelf in the 62nd minute.

The YellowJackets were able to create some opportunities to score in the match, firing eight shots, five of which were on goal, but the Wheaton defense was just able to prevent LeTourneau from scoring.

Chanel Kemball-Cook played 89 of the 90 minutes and unleashed three shots to pace the team in that category, but five different YellowJackets were able to get a shot on goal, showcasing the depth of the offensive attack. Clarissa Martinez played a full 90 minutes on defense once again for LeTourneau.

Both attacks were firing on all cylinders in the early going as eight shots were taken within the first 15 minutes, with each keeper making two saves. Wheaton got on the board first in the 23rd minute after a shot was just able to get past the unflappable Cruz, but the defense held its own the rest of the half to keep it a one-goal game at the break.

The YellowJackets kept the Thunder at bay for the first 10-minute stretch of the second half.  However, after a fantastic save by Cruz, a redirection found a Wheaton trailer, who put it in the net to make it 2-0. LeTourneau made an audacious push to get two goals on the board the rest of the half, but they could not overcome the strong Wheaton defense.

Mia Blair and Emily Setran scored a goal apiece for Wheaton, and Elizabeth Netz saved five shots to earn her first collegiate clean sheet.

UP NEXT

Women's soccer returns home for their first home match of the season on September 6 versus Austin College at 6 p.m. at the LETU Soccer Field.

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