NEW CONCORD, Ohio – The Baldwin Wallace University women's soccer team used two goals from sophomore midfielder Maddie Farrell (Macomb, Mich./Dakota) to fuel a precious 4-1 Ohio Athletic Conference win over Muskingum University on North Athletic Turf Field.
BW's (8-8, 1-4 OAC) victory halted a six-game losing streak and was the first within OAC play. The Yellow Jackets, along with their adversary Muskingum (6-9, 1-4 OAC) are now both tied for eighth place in the OAC standings. With four more must-win OAC contests remaining to earn the coveted sixth seed and playoff berth, BW took a major leap in remaining in contention. The Yellow Jackets' four goals in this evening's contest also marked a season-high.
With lingering difficulties generating offensive productivity the past few games, BW were able to score a much-needed early goal in the first half. In the 12th minute, Farrell scored her third goal of the season to put the Yellow Jackets up 1-0. The Fighting Muskies were able to respond roughly eight minutes later when sophomore Natalie Woodward nodded the score at 1-1. Sophomore midfielder Olivia Kane (Hilliard/Darby) netted her second goal of the season in the punctual 40th minute of the frame to regain BW's one-goal lead headed to the break.
The second half scoring begun the same way as the first, as Farrell potted her second goal of the game and team co-leading fourth goal of the season. Senior midfielder Kenna Poptic (Dublin/Jerome) was credited with an assisted on the play. Approximately six minutes later, the Yellow Jackets added some insurance to their cushiony lead, as junior forward Kayla Webb (Brunswick) scored her first goal of the season. Poptic grabbed her second assist of the game and team-leading ninth assist of the season on the goal. BW peppered a season-high 21 shots on goal in the game. Despite the overwhelming amount of offensive pressure, four goals were all they can muster, but it sufficed for the crucial OAC victory.
Yellow Jackets senior goalkeeper Emma Bruno (Pittsburgh, Pa./Bethel Park) made seven saves on eight shots faced, and saw her record improve to 8-6 on the year. Sophomore goalkeeper Lyndsey Valentine (Springboro) also made a brief appearance between the pipes for BW, as she played 8:38 and faced zero shots.
The Yellow Jackets returns to the pitch on Wednesday, October 23, when they travel to take on crosstown rival John Carroll University at 7:00 p.m. in Don Shula Stadium.
