Improved Second Half Not Enough in Setback to MVC

William Penn University Athletics

by Wade Steinlage

Oskaloosa–The Statesmen women’s soccer team kept a hot Missouri Valley squad at bay in the second half, but first-period miscues were too much to overcome as William Penn fell 3-1 in Heart of America Athletic Conference play Wednesday.

In a battle of programs going in opposite directions, WPU (4-4-1, 0-3 Heart) dropped its third straight, while the Vikings (6-3, 3-0 Heart) won their fourth in a row.

The visitors were held without a goal in the opening minutes of the first stanza, but broke through in the 26th minute and then doubled their advantage just over two minutes later.

A third and final MVC tally came at the 37:33 mark; the Vikings outshot William Penn 15-1 before the break and 23-3 overall.

The navy and gold fortunately were able to get on the board just prior to intermission as Anna Matthew (Fr., Glendale Heights, Ill., Biology) scored at the 42:29 juncture. Ashley Broeker (Sr., Ankeny, Iowa, Exercise Science) opened the sequence by teeing up a corner kick and sending it into the box. The ball then pinballed around for a couple seconds before falling at Matthew’s feet and she buried it into the back of the net for her team-best 10th goal of the fall.

The freshman produced all three of her team’s attempts. Unfortunately, the hosts could not muster any other offense as they remain winless in league play.

Hayley Brothers (Fr., Bonner Springs, Kan., Exercise Science) was busy between the pipes, recording seven saves Wednesday.

“This was a tough loss against a strong Missouri Valley team,” Head Coach Jaymee Highcock said. “We started slowly and some individual errors once again cost us. Our second half was much better, though, and there were some positives that we can take away from this performance.”

Next Up: William Penn travels to Fayette, Mo. Saturday to face #24 Central Methodist in Heart action at 6 p.m.