Women’s soccer picks up first PAC win of season

Over a month ago, Waynesburg University’s women’s soccer team had one of the best starts to the season in team history.

This past weekend, the Yellow Jackets had the opportunity to prove their caliber in the opening game of the conference schedule.

The Waynesburg University women’s soccer team (5-2-2, 1-0) had their Presidents’ Athletic Conference home opener this past Saturday as they took on the Saint Vincent Bearcats (4-5, 0-1). The Yellow Jackets defeated the Bearcats, 4-1.

Head coach Laura Heethuis was pleased with how the team played from the get-go in its first game at John F. Wiley Stadium since Sept. 7.

“I thought we came out ready to play and excited and energetic, good to get back on the home field and in front of the fans,” said Heethuis. “Energy and all of that was great for the team, they play really well.”

Heethuis said that the Jackets had some really good stretches of soccer where the team was able to move the ball and give themselves opportunities to finish.

“We got a little sloppy at times, we did give up a set piece goal,” said Heethuis. “It was great to come away with the win and get some goals but [we] also have things that we have to fine tune.”

With only 11 minutes into the first half, freshman forward Leesha Wagner scored her second goal of the season off a cross by junior defender Gina Bonura.

Sophomore forward Emily Hill scored her fourth goal of the year 20 minutes later. Hill headed in a free kick from junior midfielder Teagan Jenner.

The Yellow Jackets added on quickly to start the second half with Wagner’s second goal of the match from 8-yards out off of an assist from sophomore midfielder Maddy Manz.

Initially, Wagner didn’t believe either one of her goals on the day would find the back of the net.

“For the first one, I thought I was going to miss, I thought it was going to bounce out or something weird like that, so I’m glad that it went in because we wanted to score in the first ten minutes or close to that,” said Wagner. “The second goal, I didn’t think that it was going to go in either, but our coach has been telling us to shoot whenever, so I took my shots and they went in.”

Wagner was recognized by the Presidents’ Athletic Conference for Rookie of the Week.

Bonura capped off the scoring for the Yellow Jackets when she lofted the ball over the goalkeeper from 12 yards out.  She said she felt a lot of emotions after scoring her first goal in 44 games as a Yellow Jacket.

“I was pretty excited, it was my first collegiate goal,” said Bonura. “I always try to take shots and everything and that’s the first one that went in.”

The Bearcats would get on the board in the 66th minute to avoid the shutout. Saint Vincent outshot the Jackets nine to seven, but Waynesburg put five on goal compared to Saint Vincent’s four.

The team will have a week off following another PAC tilt with Westminster, which was on Wednesday night in a game that took place after the deadline for this publication.

The Yellow Jackets will host the Bethany Bison Wednesday, Oct. 10, at John F. Wiley Stadium. Kickoff is at 6 p.m.