Women’s soccer draws in conference opener at Chatham

The Waynesburg University women’s soccer team started Presidents’ Athletic Conference play in exciting fashion Saturday night as they battled  Chatham University.

After two overtimes, the game ended in a 2-2 draw.

Following the tie, the Yellow Jackets [2-7-1, 0-0-1] snapped a four-game losing streak.

Going into the game head coach Laura Heethuis wanted the team to widen the field with its play. 

“The field is small so we needed to make the field big by our shape when we got the ball,” Heethuis said.  “We knew they would overcommit to one side of the field with pressure so we needed to switch the point of attack more quickly and attack their outside backs.” 

Sophomore goalkeeper Emma Burns was in net for the Jackets, making 13 saves on 20 Chatham shots.The Cougars had freshman goalkeeper Tyler Colburn in net. She made three saves, and Waynesburg attempted seven shots.

Chatham was on the board first within the first four minutes of the game on a goal by forward Morgan Anderson assisted by freshman midfielder Olivia Wood.

The Jackets struck back with a goal from sophomore forward Leesha Wagner assisted by senior midfielder Teagan Jenner. It was Wagner’s fourth goal of the season, which leads the team.

In the second half, defender Hayley Frizzell gave Waynesburg the advantage scoring a goal in the 63rd minute.

Chatham answered back with a goal five minutes later. Freshman Cassidy Martin knotted the match at two goals a piece.

Although the game ended in a draw, Heethuis was glad her team salvaged a point on the road.

“It wasn’t our best game we’ve played, it was frustrating on the day,” Heethuis said. “We were able to get a point on the road with a performance that wasn’t our best, so we have to be happy with that.”

To prepare for the next game, Heethuis said rest will be key leading up to the PAC contest with Grove City set for 6 p.m. Friday evening.

“We need to rest some bodies, we have a few women banged up and battling colds so we will give them an extra rest day,” Heethuis said.