Saint Mary's College

NOTRE DAME, Ind. - Saint Mary's College Soccer took home a 4-0 win in their 2026 season opener over Governors State University on a boiling hot Tuesday afternoon. The Belles improve to 1-0 to open the year while the Jaguars fall to 0-3.
 
Saint Mary's offense got out to a strong start in the first half as they were applying pressure early to the Governors State defense. Less than 12 minutes into the game, sophomore Mia Johnson (Mission Viejo, CA) picked up right where she left off last season with her first goal of the 2026 campaign. Johnson's goal was assisted on by freshman Elizabeth Pranger (Fort Wayne, IN) for her first collegiate assist.
 
While the offense continued to pepper balls at the Jaguars defense, it would be a wonderful corner kick floated in by junior Kayla O'Neal (Carlsbad, CA), passed back by freshman Ainsley Johnson (Cincinnati, OH) and slotted into the back of the net by freshman defender Isabella Knese (St. Louis, MO) to give the Belles a 2-0 going into halftime. This was the first goal of Knese's collegiate career and the first collegiate assist for Johnson.
 
While starting a bit slower to open the second half due to the boiling temperatures in Northern Indiana on Tuesday afternoon, the Saint Mary's offense continued to press hard. At the 66th minute mark, Ainsley Johnson controlled a ball that the Jaguars struggled to corral and slotted home her first collegiate goal to extend the lead to 3-0.
 
With less than 15 minutes remaining in the game, the Belles continued to dominate the Jaguars defense as Mia Johnson found the back of the net for the second time in the game to secure her first brace of the season and the 4-0 win. Her second goal was assisted by freshman Piper Thomas (Osceola, IN) who played the ball down the right wing and fed it back into the middle for Johnson to finish.
 
Mia Johnson led the team with two goals while Knese and Ainsley Johnson added one each. Pranger, O'Neal, Ainsley Johnson, and Thomas each tallied an assist on the night. Both Mia and Ainsley Johnson led the way with four shots while O'Neal added three. Saint Mary's outshot Governors State 17-2 and 9-0 in shots on goal.
 
Sophomore goalkeeper Meghan Krayer (Hinsdale, IL) had a quiet night as she only saw two shots come in her direction while not needing to make a single save.
 
UP NEXT FOR THE BELLES
Saint Mary's continues their opening homestand on Thursday, September 3, as they host city rival IU South Bend at the Purcell Athletic Fields with kickoff set for 7pm. The Belles then head on the road for the first time on Saturday as they travel to Earlham College for a 3pm matchup.