The women’s soccer team struggled to get things going offensively in last Friday’s match against Grove City, a match which the Yellow Jackets lost, 1-0. 

The pace of the game was quite different Saturday at Bethany, but the result was the same. The Jackets [2-9-1, 0-2-1] fell to the Bison [1-9-1, 1-1-0] in double overtime. 

Waynesburg started well in the first half, keeping Bethany busy in its end. The Jackets out shot the Bison 18-1, forcing goalkeeper Corinne Grabow to make six saves. Seven corner kicks helped the Jacket offense come on strong from everywhere.

Waynesburg head coach Laura Heethuis was happy with her team’s ability to create offense.

“We started well, we played the ball, and we were able to keep possession,” Heethuis said. “We generated a lot of momentum.”

Even though the field seemed lopsided, the Bison kept the Jackets from scoring. The game remained 0-0 throughout the first 45 minutes. 

In the second half, Waynesburg controlled play once again. This time, both teams scored. 

Waynesburg senior Christina Golonka broke open the scoring in the 71st minute, beating Grabow for her  first goal of the season. Bethany quickly responded, tying the game at one with a goal from Grace Chambers in the 75th minute.

In the 85th minute, Waynesburg retook the lead, and once again, it was because of Golonka, who scored her second goal of the evening.

Once again, however, Waynesburg couldn’t hold its lead, and Bethany tied it on  a Gabby Capaldi goal with just one minute left in regulation. Waynesburg outshot Bethany 9-2. Grabow made five more saves, while Jackets goalie Autumn Blair saw very little action, recording no saves in both the first and second half.

Heethuis was proud of Golonka’s efforts.

“[Golonka] did great,” Heethuis said. “She was in the right place at the right time. She had two huge goals, including a great shot over the keeper, and she found a way to put us ahead.”

The game was still tied forcing the Jackets into another sudden death in overtime. Waynesburg outshot Bethany in the first overtime period, but neither team could end it.

Both teams had a shot in the second overtime period, but Bethany won the game on a shot from Riley Meyers, beating Blair in the 104th minute.

Heethuis spoke about the team’s frustration after playing well but falling on overtime.

“We were frustrated,” Heethuis said. “We have higher standards. The few shots that we gave up went in. It was just frustrating and unfortunate. We must be ready to play at all times.”

The loss drops the Jackets record to 2-9-1 on the season, and the team is now winless with two losses and a tie in Presidents’ Athletic Conference play.

Heethuis talked about what the team must do moving forward.

“We have to find ways to put teams away early,” Heethuis said,“We have confidence, and [we need to] score in the first half.”