William Penn One Goal Shy of Upset Vs. Ranked Baker

William Penn University Athletics

Oskaloosa–The Statesmen women’s soccer team showed no fear Saturday as it nearly took down #18 Baker in a 2-1 Heart of America Athletic Conference loss.

WPU (3-6-1, 1-3-1 Heart) was outshot 10-4 in the first stanza and gave up an early goal in the sixth minute, but stabilized soon thereafter and remained down just one score at intermission.

The navy and gold continued to play well in the latter half and surprised the Wildcats (8-3, 4-1 Heart) with the equalizer at the 65:42 juncture when AnnaMarie Urps (So., Wilton, Calif., Physical Education) poked in a long centering pass from Camila Parra (Jr., Brisbane, Australia, Exercise Science). The goal is Urp’s second of the fall.

Unfortunately, BU answered six minutes later and the goal stood as the eventual winner.

Alyce Correia (Sr., Perth, Australia, Elementary Education) paced the offense with three shots (WPU was outshot 17-11 in the end), while Adriana Borjon (Sr., Willits, Calif., Exercise Science) kept her team in the contest with nine saves.

“We played one of the better teams in the nation and gave them a very tough game,” Head Coach Willie McGowan said. “We did not give up and competed for everything tonight. We have to maintain this level of competitiveness for the remaining games, or the hard work and performances we have put into these last four conference games will count for nothing.”

Next Up: William Penn finishes its long homestand next Wednesday, hosting Clarke in Heart action at 5 p.m.