By Jared Parry
USW Women’s 1st were outclassed in the season opener, as they fell to a 2-0 defeat to Cardiff 4th at the USW Sports Park.
Charlotte Dudley gave the visitors the lead, before Lexie Clarke made sure of the victory.
The first opportunity came for Cardiff, as Grace Leggett sent a wicked ball across the D, but no-one managed to latch onto it.
Maddie Vowles came close for the visitors as they continued their dominance, but couldn’t break the deadlock.
The breakthrough came at the end of the first-half, as Bea Nalder’s shot was saved, but Dudley scored the rebound to give Cardiff a well-deserved lead.
After the break, the visitors picked up where they left off, earning a penalty corner, which saw them doubled their lead, as a shrewd routine was finished by Clarke.
As USW looked to get back into the game, Charlotte Bader stuck wide from a penalty corner. In another chance, Jess Mousley fired an effort over.
Vowles came close to adding to the visitors’ lead late-on, curling a great effort just wide, as Cardiff University saw out the victory.