Doyle's PK Sends Washington U. Past Alma, 2-1

St. Louis, Mo., August 31, 2012 — Junior back Kate Doyle converted on a penalty kick with four minutes remaining in the game as the No. 9 ranked Washington University in St. Louis women's soccer team rallied for a 2-1 victory over Alma College in the season opener for both teams on Friday afternoon in St. Louis.

After Alma took a 1-0 lead at the 66:08 mark on a goal by Kalyn Berinti, Washington U. answered just 70 seconds later after taking advantage of an Alma foul near midfield. Doyle lofted the free kick into the box to sophomore Anna Zambricki, who headed the ball into the back of the net after being left unmarked. The goal for Zambricki was the 11th of her career.

The game remained tied until the 86th minute when Zambricki was taken down in the box, which set up the game-winning penalty kick. The goal for Doyle was just her second in 44 games played.

"Alma was a very good team, and we are happy to be 1-0 in the month of August," said fifth-year head coach Jim Conlon. "It was good to see our team rally back after going down 1-0 in the second half."

The first half saw both teams have five shots apiece in the opening 45 minutes of play. Alma had two golden opportunities in the 38th minute by Mackenzie Smith, but senior goalkeeper Clara Jaques made a pair of saves. Smith's first shot was at point blank range after she got through the Washington U. defense and beat three defenders.

Jaques made three saves in the first half, while Alma's Morgan Waier was solid in the net with two saves. Alma also recorded a team save at the 17:43 mark after Doyle's header was cleared out of the box.

Jaques picked up the win in goal making three saves en route to her school-record 45th win of her career. The Bears' defense clamped down in the second half and did not allow a shot on goal in the second half. Washington U. outshot Alma 13-9, including doubling up the Scot 8-4 in the second half. The Bears also had an 8-4 advantage in corner kicks.

Washington U. (1-0) continues its three-game homestand against Whitman College on Sunday, Sept. 2, at Noon. The game will be broadcast live on Bears TV at:http://client.stretchinternet.com/client/wustl.portal#.

Bear Notebook: The game was delayed for 20 minutes at the 23:22 mark in the first half due to a tornado warning … The Bears have won all three meetings between the two teams, outscoring Alma 5-1.