GOSHEN, Ind. - Still searching for their first Mid-Central College Conference victory, the Goshen College women's soccer team also looked to break a five-game losing streak against visiting Grace College Saturday, but came up short in a 2-1 defeat.
The match got off to a rocky start, as sophomore Marissa Weldy (Goshen, Ind.) received a yellow card in the 25th minute for a hard tackle, followed quickly by a Lancers goal in the 26th. Grace midfielder Jocelyn Evans served a ball in to Elizabeth Heuss, who headed home the first goal of the game.
From there, however, things calmed a bit. Though they were out shot 7-1 in the first half, Goshen went into halftime still only down 1-0. Dos Santos said, "The girls started a bit shaky but we were able to put the ball on the ground and made some changes that worked." Early in the second half, they had something to show for it as junior defender Mara Swartzentruber (Albuquerque, N.M.) took a free kick that hit the crossbar and dropped straight down before finally nestling in the back of the net to tie the game.
The Lady Leafs managed to hold off the Lancers until the 82nd minute, when midfielder Kristin Yocum put Grace ahead for good. Dos Santos said after the game, "Little details cost us the game again. Lack of experience is hurting us, but we're learning. Lynn Weaver had a great game in goal; Marissa Weldy had a great game in the middle; Emily Fretz (Centennial, Colo.) has been getting better all season. So it will come to us, we just have to keep learning and stay focused." Weaver (Goshen, Ind.) finished the game with six saves on eight shots on goal, including several on breakaways.
Goshen is now winless in its last six to fall to 4-9 and are 0-4 in MCC play. Three of their last four losses have come by only one goal. With the win, the Lancers now sit at 7-5-1 overall and 2-1-1 in the conference.
The Leafs will look to pick up their first conference win Tuesday at Marian University in Indianapolis.
- By Nick Wesman
Sports Information Intern
