For the first time in its 2018 campaign, the Waynesburg University’s women’s soccer team lost. Wednesday evening the Yellow Jackets traveled to New Concord, Ohio to take on Muskingum and lost by a final score of 2-0.

“Muskingum came ready to play from the second the whistle blew and executed their game plan very well,” said head coach Laura Heethuis. “They finished on the few chances they had. We came out very reactive and were never able to get ahold of the game technically and fell into their direct style of play.”

It took Muskingum a long time to get its first goal, it came just seconds before halftime off an assist from Lindsey Dunlap to give Natalie Woodard her first goal of the season.

“We have to take control of the game in the midfield right away,” said Heethuis. “Our spacing has to be better and we have to pass the ball at a higher tempo. Our forwards need to be able to make decisions in the game whether a ball into space is the run they should make or checking back to receive to their feet. We have to solve the game as the game is being played.”

In the middle of the second half, Woodard scored a second goal for Muskingum, this time from an assist by Katya Vernon to make the score 2-0. Muskingum would hold onto the shutout against Waynesburg, giving the Yellow Jackets their first loss of the season.

“Honestly, there were not many positives as a whole on the day,” said Heethuis. “However, we have to take those challenging moments and use them in a positive way. We know we can’t expect to step on the field and get a result. We have to work for it. Every game. Every minute. We cannot take a play off. We also have to learn how to control frustrations while also speaking to each other in a way in which we demand a higher standard.  Individually, Courtney Syfert made some good saves to keep it at a 2-0 game. Not getting a win can be seen as the negative. We lost our identity in this game but I am confident in our approach for Saturday.”

Syfert recorded a total of 12 saves in goal for the Yellow Jackets, another player who stood out in the game according to Heethuis was Gina Bonura.

“Bonura is very consistent defensively and I thought she has done a good job in her individual battles,” said Heethuis.

The Yellow Jackets next game will be Sept. 15 in Cresson against Mount Aloysius.

“Every game whether win, lose or draw has to be looked at as an opportunity to learn,” said Heethuis. “We did not get the result we wanted and we also didn’t put together 90 minutes of play that would warrant getting a result. Hopefully the loss puts a bitter taste in our mouths and leaves us hungry for the next opportunity to execute from minute one to minute ninety plus.”