BEREA, Ohio – The Baldwin Wallace University women's soccer team opened up the home portion of the schedule with a 3-1 victory over non-conference foe Oberlin College on the new Tressel Field surface inside George Finnie Stadium.
The Yellow Jackets (2-1 overall) and sophomore midfielder Kayla Webb (Brunswick) got their day started early with some aggressive play when Webb took the first shot of the afternoon, sending it wide of the net. Her second shot did not miss, however, as she got a pass from junior midfielder Claire Cuthbertson (Berlin Heights/Edison) and netted her first goal of the year to give the Yellow Jackets a 1-0 lead in the 17th minute. After Oberlin's (1-3) first shot on goal, Webb added to the BW lead with her second goal of the game off a misplay by the goalie in the 24th minute. The Yellow Jackets would have plenty more scoring opportunities in the first half as the Yeowomen goalkeeper, Isabelle Smith, recorded six saves in the period.
In the second half, senior three-time All-Ohio Athletic Conference and Academic All-OAC forward Rachel Bender (Massillon/Jackson) dictated the rhythm of the game and was able to put the ball in the box to create scoring opportunities for her teammates. Bender got an excellent look on goal in the 74th minute, which was saved by Smith. However, sophomore midfielder Alex Guido (Macomb, Mich./Eisenhower) picked up the ricochet off the save and sank the ball deep into the net for her first collegiate goal, extending BW's lead to 3-1. Bender continued on the attack for the rest of the game, taking four more shots with one save, one post and two wide, but was not able to find the net as BW held on for the 3-1 victory.
Junior Academic All-OAC goalkeeper Sophia Weidner (Medina) picked up her first win in her first start of the season and only had to record one save in the entire game. The Yellow Jackets dominated possession and outshot the Yeowomen 21-10 while Oberlin held the edge in saves (9-1) and corner kicks (6-5).
BW will continue its three-game homestand on Sunday, Sept. 9, when the Yellow Jackets host Albion (Mich.) College at 1 p.m. on the new Tressel Field turf inside George Finnie Stadium.
