After coming off its first loss of the season against Muskingum this past Wednesday, the Waynesburg University women’s soccer team was looking to get back on the winning track when it traveled to Mount Aloysius this past Saturday.
While the Yellow Jackets were unable to grab a win, they battled back from an early deficit and played to a 2-2 tie in double overtime.
“We know Mt. Aloysius is a tough opponent with a lot of confidence behind them with an undefeated record,” head coach Laura Heethuis said. “We knew we had to be ready for the challenge and ready to fight as long as it took. I’m very pleased with the attitudes and team as a whole responding coming off a loss.”
Mount Aloysius (6-0-1) got the scoring started when the Mounties scored two minutes into the game. The Yellow Jackets (4-1-1) tied it up shortly after when sophomore forward Emily Hill scored her team-leading third goal of the season. The goal was set up by junior midfielder Teagan Jenner, who got the assist on the free kick.
At the end of the 19th minute, Mount Aloysius retook the lead, but once again the Yellow Jackets responded when sophomore midfielder Maddy Manz scored her first goal of the season from 18-yards out in the 30th minute.
“We have come from behind in games prior so we know we can do it,” said Heethuis. “We knew they have a lot of speed up top and they look to play very direct to those players…we scored two great goals [as] Hill finished her chance well and Manz was able to connect on a great shot from distance.”
Neither team could find the back of the net in the final 60 minutes, which sent the game into overtime. Waynesburg was able to force extra minutes despite Mount Aloysius outshooting the Yellow Jackets 18-4 in regulation.
The Mounties were held much more closely in check in the overtime periods. Waynesburg was holding just a slim three to one advantage in shots over the final 20 minutes of the game, but none of those attempts were put on net.
Junior goalkeeper Courtney Syfert played one of the bigger roles, making sure the game remained tied by making six saves on the day, including five in the second half. Mount Aloysius outshot Waynesburg 13-1 in the second 45-minute period. Hill would go on to attempt three of the Yellow Jackets five shots on the day, two of which were on goal.
Waynesburg had the exact same mark of 4-1-1 through its first six games last season, but would end up going 3-8 the rest of the way, going 3-6 in the Presidents’ Athletic Conference and missing the postseason for the third year in a row. Waynesburg’s first conference game is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 29 against St. Vincent at John F. Wiley Stadium.
Waynesburg will be back in action before then on Saturday, Sep. 22 as it travels to Baldwin Wallace, which will be the last non-conference game for the Jackets. Start time is set for 1 p.m.