Statesmen Gain Home Playoff Game with Defeat of C-SC

William Penn University Athletics

by Wade Steinlage

Oskaloosa–Two second-half goals lifted the William Penn women’s soccer team to a 2-1 Heart of America Athletic Conference win over Culver-Stockton on Senior Night Saturday.

The rally gives WPU (9-7-1, 5-6-1 Heart) the #8 seed in the Heart Tournament, which begins Wednesday night. The Statesmen will have a familiar foe as the Wildcats (8-9-1, 4-7-1 Heart) jump back on the bus and return to Drost Field for the rematch (Time TBD).

The win also assures the navy and gold of a winning season–its first since 2005 and ninth in program history.

The visitors broke the ice with a goal in the 23rd minute and appeared primed to get the home game for the play-in round. Fortunately, the Statesmen defense, paced by nine saves from Riley Ludwig (Jr., Big Bear City, Calif., Biology), shut down the Culver-Stockton attack the remainder of the night.

Alexandra Benedict (Jr., Tustin, Calif., Sports Management) finally knotted the matchup at the 53:04 mark as she headed in a free kick from Mariah Voight (Jr., La Mesa, Calif., Sociology/Psychology). The goal is Benedict’s fourth of 2017, while the assist is Voight’s team-leading fourth of the campaign.

Then Raunice Butler (Jr., Nassau, Bahamas, Physical Education) launched a shot well outside the box for the eventual game-winner in the 74th minute. The junior now has 12 scores this season. WPU won despite being outshot 25-8.

“This is a win we can be very happy with, headlined by a fantastic second half of play,” Head Coach Jaymee Highcock said. “The ladies really wanted a home playoff game and worked hard to get it. We look forward to Wednesday night.”