Statesmen Unlucky Against Clarke
Oskaloosa–The William Penn women’s soccer team had some golden chances to break its scoreless streak, but unfortunately could not convert as it fell 2-0 to Clarke in Heart of America Athletic Conference action Tuesday.
WPU (1-4, 0-3 Heart) was outshot just 12-8, but allowed an own goal and a controversial penalty-kick tally, while being held off the scoreboard against the Pride (3-1, 2-1 Heart).
The hosts were locked in a scoreless tie through the first 19 minutes, but looked to break through when Kaitlin Falaney (So., Ottawa, Ill., Sports Management) had a one-on-one opportunity. Her first shot was unfortunately saved by the CU keeper, and while the ball rebounded back to her, the sophomore’s next attempt was kept out again, this time by a member of the visiting team’s defensive unit. Falaney topped her squad with three shots.
Three minutes later, though, the Pride did put one on the board as a ball slotted in front of the goal was knocked in the netting by a Statesmen player for an own goal.
William Penn held a 7-5 edge in shots in the first half, but had nothing to show for it. The offense unfortunately could not replicate its strong showing after intermission, while Clarke doubled its advantage just 29 seconds into the latter period when the Statesmen were whistled for a foul in the penalty box. CU put the ball away to cap the day’s scoring.
Iris Navarro (So., Ontario, Calif., Biology) and Taylor Witthauer (Fr., Vancouver, Wash., Nursing) each contributed two shots Tuesday, while Danielle Gundling (Fr., Huntington Beach, Calif., Elementary Education) recorded four saves in her collegiate debut.
“Looking past the disappointment of the loss, we can see this is another step in the right direction,” Head Coach Jack Hartley said. “We possessed the ball better than we have in previous games. We could argue that we were unlucky to lose the way we did, but ultimately we had chances to get ahead and did not take them. All we can do now is refocus for Saturday.”
Next Up: William Penn travels to Olathe, Kan. Saturday to face MidAmerica Nazarene in Heart play at 1 p.m.
