William Penn Shut Out in Heart Opener

William Penn University Athletics

by Wade Steinlage

Oskaloosa–The Statesmen women’s soccer team did not come out of the league gate as hoped, falling 2-0 to Clarke in its Heart of America Athletic Conference opener Wednesday.

WPU (4-2-1, 0-1 Heart), which was outshot 15-11, damaged its own cause early on by allowing an own goal in the fifth minute. The navy and gold permitted nine shots in the opening stanza (just two for the hosts), but were able to keep the Pride (7-1, 1-0 Heart) from adding to their advantage for the remainder of the half.

Unfortunately, CU tacked on an insurance score at the 63:01 mark and held on to post the shutout.

Tori Teanio (Fr., Hilo, Hawaii, Physical Education) paced the offense with four shots, while Raunice Butler (Sr., Nassau, Bahamas, Physical Education) added three more attempts.

Adyson Blom (Fr., Newton, Iowa, Human Services and Sociology) stopped four shots in the setback.

“It was a game of two halves for us tonight,” Head Coach Jaymee Highcock said. “We started slow and did not play great soccer prior to the break. Our second half was much better, though, and we showed how to play conference-level soccer. We are looking forward to putting things right for Evangel this weekend.”

Next Up: William Penn travels to Springfield, Mo. Saturday to face Evangel in Heart action at 2 p.m.