William Penn Extends Season with Last-Minute Goal

William Penn University Athletics

by Wade Steinlage

Oskaloosa–On the verge of seeing its campaign come to a close, the Statesmen women’s soccer team earned a new lease with an exciting 1-0 win over Baker in Heart of America Athletic Conference action Saturday.

WPU (8-9-1, 3-8 Heart) needed a victory to garner a berth in the Heart Tournament, and accomplished that as it leap-frogged the Wildcats (6-10-1, 2-8-1 Heart) for the final spot. The navy and gold claimed the #10 seed and will travel to Lamoni Tuesday to meet #7 seed Graceland in the play-in round. The Statesmen dropped a 3-2 decision to the Yellowjackets on October 7 in Oskaloosa.

As expected, it did not come easy with BU blasting nine shots in the first half, including six on goal, all of which were stopped by Hayley Brothers (Fr., Bonner Springs, Kan., Exercise Science).

The second stanza was a vast improvement for the hosts with both sides managing six shots (BU outshot WPU 15-9 in the end). Despite all of that, William Penn was still locked in a scoreless tie entering the final minute. A draw, by the way, would not have been enough to move the Statesmen into the top 10 in the league standings; they had to win.

Win they did, as with only 30 ticks left in regulation, a perfect cross by Ashley Broeker (Sr., Ankeny, Iowa, Exercise Science) was volleyed in by Hannah Baker (Sr., Adelaide, Australia, Biology) for the game-winner.

Baker’s score is her fifth of the fall, while Broeker now has four assists. Baker and Mady Graham (Jr., Salt Lake City, Utah, Political Science) each recorded three shots Saturday.

“We adjusted our tactics at halftime and played a great game of soccer today,” Head Coach Jaymee Highcock said. “We are delighted to earn a playoff position.”