“This has been a great tour for both teams. Being very young and many new faces, I didn’t know what to expect. These young people have been fantastic here, and it gives us much promise for the coming season.”

The AU Ravens soccer teams ended their trip by venturing onto Bolton on Saturday for the Bolton-Newcastle opening day game for the English Premier League Match. Before their flight on Monday, they headed to Manchester, finalizing their voyage.

The AU soccer teams will start their preseason states-side schedule Saturday.

AU women’s soccer team cuts teeth in Europe

Continuing on their European exhibition trip, the Anderson University women’s soccer team faced another talented opponent last Thursday night in Whitley Bay FC.

A semifinals competitor for the cup last season, Whitley Bay FC used their speed and strength to defeat the visiting Ravens 5-1 behind a stellar first half.

Able to pull ahead by four goals while using an early AU miscue to score their first goal, Whitley Bay met a determined Ravens team in the second half.

Allowing a quick goal to start the second half, AU settled down to control play and gather a few scoring opportunities.

In the 55th minute, AU’s Tara Sprague received a ball wide of the 18-yard box and fired a shot past the keeper toward the far post for the Ravens’ lone goal. In the second half, AU outshot Whitley Bay 8-7.

Ruthie Castor displayed her skill up front for the Ravens and led the squad with four shots on goal. Kelsie Alcorn had nine saves for the Ravens.

“I was very proud of our second-half effort and for the ladies not to give up when the early going was rough," AU head coach Scott Fridley said.

The AU men and women team’s schedule moved onto Leeds for their last match of the tour before taking in opening day for the English Premier with Bolton facing Newcastle on Saturday.