LANSING, Michigan – Alyssa Klementzos connected on a penalty kick with under three minutes remaining as the Ripon women's soccer program opened its 2024 season with a 1-1 draw at Great Lakes Christian College on Friday afternoon at Henderson Field.
 
After Great Lakes (1-0-2) committed a red card in the box in the 87th minute, the sophomore from Salem, Wisconsin drilled the penalty kick past the outstretched arms of the Crusader goalkeeper to give Ripon the late equalizer. Klementzos now has five career goals in 18 career games.
 
The opening minutes were a defensive stalemate, as just four shots were recorded in the first 20 minutes. However, in the 24th minute, Great Lakes sent a rocket from the middle of the pitch, soaring over the Ripon (0-0-1) goalkeeper to give the hosts a 1-0 lead.
 
GLCC outshot Ripon 13-9 overall – and 8-4 in the second half – but the Ripon defense kept the Crusaders out of goal for the final 65 minutes. It was a clean game overall, with just seven total fouls recorded. Ripon had a slight 5-4 edge over Great Lakes in corner kicks.
 
Klementzos led the Red Hawks with three shots (two on goal), while Martina Palazzolo had two shots on goal as well. Andreanna Wilke made two saves for Ripon in the first half. Britt Hable played the second half in goal for the Red Hawks, recording five saves.
 
UP NEXT: Ripon hosts Gustavus Adolphus in the Red Hawks' home opener with a 1 p.m. match scheduled for Sunday, September 1.
 
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