Defensive Effort Comes Up Just Short In 1-0 Loss At Soka
Baer makes eight saves and two defenders play full 90 minutes
ALISO VIEJO, Calif. — The Goshen College women’s soccer team held out for more than an hour before conceding the match’s only goal in a 1-0 loss to Soka University of America in southern California Friday night.
Despite being out-shot 13-2 in the first half, Goshen used four saves from Katie Baer to keep the match scoreless until the 63rd minute, when Isolde Pierce cleaned up a loose ball in the box with 27:58 remaining to make the score 1-0. Baer would add to her ledger with a penalty-kick save in the 83rd minute amid growing darkness at the Lions’ Den Soccer Field, which does not have lights.
Caitlin Hughey and Carolina Villalobos Palacios each put attempts on frame for the Maple Leafs (0-1-1), who got their six shots from six players. Samantha Swinney led all players with seven shots, while Natalia Gilbert had four and PIerce three. All three players were among the quartet of Lions with a match-high two shots on goal.
Soka (1-0) finished with 25 shots and nine attempts on frame while committing seven of the match’s 12 fouls. Swinney was the lone player booked. Nine Maple Leaf and three Lion substitutes got in on the action.
The loss concludes Goshen’s two-match California swing less than 12 hours before the first members of Goshen’s Class of 2021 check into campus. The Maple Leafs’ home opener is set for Saturday, Sept. 2 at 2 p.m. against Cleary University.