HIRAM, Ohio – The Baldwin Wallace University women's soccer team recorded its third-straight shutout and fourth of the season with a 3-0 win over the Hiram College Terriers.
Coming off being named the Ohio Athletic Conference Women's Soccer Player of the Week on Monday, junior two-time All-OAC and Academic All-OAC forward Rachel Bender gave the Yellow Jackets (5-3) an early advantage when she deflected a ball struck by senior All-OAC forward Courtney Schutz (Mentor), giving Schutz her fourth assist of the season and Bender her seventh goal.
BW put the Terriers under pressure right from the beginning, pressing their outside backs. Unable to clear the ball under pressure, the Yellow Jackets got a lot of corner kick opportunities. Schutz took five of the team's 12 first half corner kicks all within a 10 minute span. Meanwhile, senior All-OAC midfielder Alex Elliott (Blacklick/IMG Academy), senior defender Kori Miller (North Olmsted/Holy Name) and Bender each took their shots at goal but could not break through.
Hiram (2-4-1) did not take its first shot until the 23rd minute of the game and only got off three shots in the first half compared to BW's 17. Sophomore goalkeeper Ally Green made eight saves in the half for the Terriers, keeping even more goals off the scoreboard for the Yellow Jackets.
Coming out of the locker room at halftime, BW was forced to make some defensive adjustments as the Terriers got in behind the back line a few times. However, sophomore goalkeeper Emma Bruno (Pittsburgh, Pa./Bethel Park) kept the line of communication open between her and her defense and worked hard to keep Hiram scoreless.
In the 57th minute, Bender sent a ball in to Elliott that came across her face, which she headed into the net for her fourth goal of the season and Bender's fifth assist.
The Yellow Jackets continued to create scoring opportunities in the final 10 minutes with even more corner kicks and throw-ins. With 38 seconds remaining in the game and a heavy group of people in front of the Terrier goal, Elliott got the ball after it had banged around a few people, found the seam and smashed it home for her second goal of the game. Bender was credited with her second assist as well.
After recording its third consecutive shutout, BW will return to Berea to host Defiance College for a men's and women's doubleheader. The women play the first game at 4:30 pm on Tressel Field inside George Finnie Stadium.
