William Penn Falters in Rescheduled ‘Home’ Game
William Penn University Athletics
by Wade Steinlage
Oskaloosa–The Statesmen women’s soccer team was awarded a chance to play in its hometown, but unfortunately the friendly confines were not enough to record a win as William Penn fell 3-2 to Graceland in Heart of America Athletic Conference play Sunday.
Due to unplayable field conditions in Lamoni on Saturday, the game was both postponed 24 hours and moved to Oskaloosa and the turf of Lacey Complex Stadium. While it was a home game for WPU (5-6-1, 1-5 Heart), it was not that much of an advantage for the navy and gold as they have not played on the field for years. Mist turned to rain complicated efforts for both sides as well.
The Statesmen knocked off the rust of turf play early on as Hannah Baker (Sr., Adelaide, Australia, Biology) scored for the second time in as many contests, doing so unassisted at the 23:24 mark.
The Yellowjackets (3-8, 2-4 Heart) answered less than eight minutes later with the equalizer. Isabella Pirami (Fr., Salt Lake City, Utah, Exercise Science) then made it 2-1 in favor of WPU in the 36th minute when she finished off a pass from Raunice Butler (Sr., Nassau, Bahamas, Physical Education) and the squad entered intermission in the lead.
Pirami, who topped William Penn with four shots, now has two goals this fall, while Butler leads the team with six assists.
Unfortunately, William Penn, which was outshot 17-9, could not hold off the GU rally as the visitors tied the game in the 49th minute and took the lead for good in the 65th.
Hayley Brothers (Fr., Bonner Springs, Kan., Exercise Science) tallied three saves in the setback.
“I thought we played well in the first half, but we came out slow after the break and gave up a couple easy goals,” Head Coach Jaymee Highcock said. “We turned it back around, but unfortunately it was too late.”
“I want to thank our game-day operations staff for making this game happen,” Highcock added.
Next Up: William Penn travels to Cedar Rapids Wednesday to face Mount Mercy in Heart action at 5 p.m.
