Second-Half Struggles Result in Road Loss

William Penn University Athletics

by Wade Steinlage

Springfield, Mo.–The Statesmen women’s soccer team fought off an abundance of attacks by its foe, but unfortunately also several balls did get into the netting in the second 45 minutes as WPU fell 5-2 to Evangel in a Heart of America Athletic Conference matchup Saturday.

William Penn (4-3-1, 0-2 Heart) was outshot 35-12, including a 16-4 mark in the first stanza, but managed to go into the break tied 2-2. EU (5-2-1, 1-1 Heart) broke through first with a goal in the 11th minute, but the visitors posted the answer at the 26:38 mark when Isabella Pirami (Fr., Salt Lake City, Utah) scored off a pass from Raunice Butler (Sr., Nassau, Bahamas, Physical Education).

The goal is the first of Pirami’s career, while Butler’s assist is her team-leading fifth of 2018. Butler also highlighted her team’s offense with six shots.

Although the Crusaders went back ahead just five minutes later, William Penn had another response right before intermission on an unassisted score from Justine Arguelles (Sr., Ventura, Calif., Biology). The senior now has one goal this fall.

Unfortunately, the second period belonged to the home squad as Evangel broke the tie in the 52nd minute and then tacked on insurance goals in the 68th and 89th minutes.

Adyson Blom (Fr., Newton, Iowa, Human Services and Sociology) recorded seven saves, but was removed from the game early in the latter half. Hayley Brothers (Fr., Bonner Springs, Kan., Exercise Science) added an additional seven stops off the bench, while five more ‘team’ saves were figured into the squad total.

“This was another tough one for us,” Head Coach Jaymee Highcock said. “A few individual errors cost us at the start, but our confidence grew as the game continued and we deserved to be tied at halftime. We did not capitalize on our opportunities and came up on the short end.”

Next Up: William Penn returns to Oskaloosa next Wednesday to host Missouri Valley in Heart action at 5 p.m.