ERIE, Pa. – Two early goals helped propel the Baldwin Wallace University women's soccer to a 4-0 victory over Fredonia St. (N.Y.) University in the first game of the Herb Lauffer Memorial Tournament.

The season-opening win also marks the first victory for Head Coach Jim Wojtkun. After serving as an assistant coach for the women's team for 11 seasons, Wojtkun is in his first season at the helm of the program.

"It's great to get the first win under my belt," Wojtkun commented. "I am really pleased that the women performed exceptionally well and made my job easy tonight. This game is indicative of what we can look forward to this year, hard-working and an exciting team to watch. I'm really looking forward to the rest of the season."

BW set the tone early when senior defender Kori Miller (North Olmsted/Holy Name) netted the Yellow Jackets first goal of the season off a cross from junior forward/midfielder Rachel Bender (Massilon/Jackson) just 7:01 into the game.

A mere 41 seconds later, senior midfielder Alex Elliott (Blacklick/IMG Academy) scored her first goal of the season off Bender's second assist, putting the Yellow Jackets in an enviable position and enabling them to control the rhythm of the game.

For the rest of the first half and for a majority of the second half, defense stole the show as the Yellow Jacket back line of junior Bri Osborne (Cincinnati/Batavia), senior Jenny Burdick (Chesterfield, Va./Matoaca), senior Lauren Haynam (Minerva) and Miller ensured that sophomore goalkeeper Emma Bruno (Bethel Park, Pa.) would only face four shots the entire game.  

In terms of the Yellow Jacket offense, Elliott wasn't content with just one goal, however, as she scored a second goal with only seven minutes remaining in the game.

Bender wrapped up the scoring with a one-on-one look against the Fredonia goalie that she drove into the lower corner, giving BW a 4-0 lead that they would hold for the final few minutes.

BW will wrap up the Herb Lauffer Memorial Tournament on Saturday, September 2, against host Penn State Behrend College at 7:30 p.m.