Efficient Statesmen Close Non-Conference Schedule with Big Win
Oskaloosa–Although it had fewer overall looks at the goal, the William Penn women’s soccer team took advantage what it did have as it won 5-1 over Dordt on a steamy day in non-conference play.
With temperatures reaching the high 90s and heat indexes well over that, WPU (3-1) put up its highest scoring tally since having seven goals against Coe on August 30, 2023. The hosts accomplished the feat despite being outshot 25-15, including a 12-10 deficit in shots on goal.
Heidi Gill (Buncrana, Ireland, Undecided) wasted no time in putting the navy and gold ahead, firing a shot from outside of the 18-yard box into the netting just 62 seconds into play.
The hot start was unfortunately quickly lowered to a proverbial simmer for the remainder of the opening stanza.
WPU was able to come out of the locker room strong. Amerie Osorio (Fr., Las Vegas, Nev., Undecided) was not as fast as Gill with her score, but still beat the DU goalkeeper in the early moments of the second half, doing so in the 50th minute via a pass from Rakiya Morgan-King (Jr., Gloucestershire, England, Kinesiology).
Sian Bah (Sr., London, England, Political Science) then took over with back-to-back scores in the 74th and 79th minutes to ice the contest. Her second goal was assisted by Alli Baumbach (Fr, Council Bluffs, Iowa, Business Management).
The Defenders (1-0) broke up William Penn’s shutout in the 86th minute, but the Statesmen had the last laugh as Morgan-King scored off another pass from Baumbach with just 2:38 left on the clock.
Emma Billings (Jr., Salt Lake City, Utah, Psychology) was busy all afternoon, recording 11 saves en route to the victory.
“The heat played a major role in today’s match, and our ladies took on the challenge,” Head Coach Kaleb Preston said. “You cannot ask for much more when you score five goals. A clean sheet would have been nice, but Dordt put enough pressure on us to finally get one. This was a great shift from our group, and all eyes are now looking forward to conference play.”
Next Up: After taking nearly two weeks off, William Penn returns to Oskaloosa on September 12 to face Benedictine in its Heart of America Athletic Conference opener at 2 p.m.
