WPU Rallies to Knock Off Former League Foe in OT
William Penn University Athletics
Kansas City, Mo.–The Statesmen women’s soccer team had a less-than-desirable first half, but battled back and eventually came away with a 3-2 overtime win over Avila in non-conference action Saturday.
William Penn (2-0-1) was outshot 7-3 in the first half and fell behind by a pair of scores to its former Heart of America Athletic Conference rival. A halftime break was just what the doctor ordered as the squad responded well in the latter period. Despite being outshot 7-5 in the second half (15-9 shot margin overall), the navy and gold were able to get both of those goals back.
The first came unassisted by Raunice Butler (Sr., Nassau, Bahamas, Physical Education) at the 58:33 mark. The goal is the first of the year for the senior, who led WPU with four shots.
Anna Matthew (Fr., Glendale Heights, Ill., Biology) then knotted the match, also unassisted, in the 71st minute.
Neither side was able to get another tally and overtime ensued, the second in a row for William Penn. Then 4:36 into the extra period, Matthew finished off the rally by putting away a pass from Lillyan Kuga-Fountain (Fr., Thornton, Colo., Psychology). She now has a team-high four goals, while Kuga-Fountain’s helper was the first of her collegiate career.
Hayley Brothers (Fr., Bonner Springs, Kan., Exercise Science) recorded five saves in a tough first half. Adyson Blom (Fr., Newton, Iowa, Human Services and Sociology) replaced Brothers at the break and was perfect in her relief appearance, stopping six shots the remainder of the afternoon.
The 2-0-1 start is the best three-game start for the program since being 3-0 in 2014.
“This was a big road win for our ladies, keeping us undefeated on the season,” Head Coach Jaymee Highcock said. “Going down by two goals was not a great start; we were lucky to have not given up a penalty kick as well. Our players listened to the halftime talk and certainly implemented our plans in the second half. We dug in and found a way to beat a much-improved Avila team.”
Next Up: William Penn travels to Hannibal, Mo. next Saturday to face Hannibal-LaGrange in non-conference action at 2 p.m.
