Statesmen Fall in Spring Opener

Forest City–The William Penn women’s soccer team fell short in its return to the pitch as it lost 4-2 to Waldorf in non-conference action Saturday.

Playing for the first time since November 11, WPU (3-12) was outshot just 10-8 in a bout that was determined by fouls called inside the box. Of Saturday’s six scores, four came via penalty kick, including three by the host Warriors (7-6).

WU opened on the offensive, producing a pair of corner kicks. The hosts eventually earned and converted a free attempt shortly thereafter at the 3:26 mark. The Warriors tacked on another goal 10 minutes later and went into intermission with a 2-0 advantage.

Just over 10 minutes into the second stanza, Taylor Witthauer (Fr., Vancouver, Wash., Nursing) cut the deficit in half with an unassisted goal. The freshman, who now has three goals this year, headlined the navy and gold attack with four shots (three on goal).

Iris Navarro (So., Ontario, Calif., Biology) then knotted the contest at 2-2 at the 65:54 mark by tallying a PK goal. The goal is Navarro’s second of the campaign.

Unfortunately, William Penn committed two huge mistakes down the stretch and Waldorf made the visitors pay with PK scores in the 79th and 85th minutes.

Navarro and Sydney Estrada (Jr., Glendora, Calif., Biology) added two shots each in the setback, while Danielle Gundling (Fr., Huntington Beach, Calif., Elementary Education) produced four saves Saturday.

Next Up: William Penn concludes its year next Saturday by hosting Northwestern in non-conference action at 1:30 p.m.