Goshen, IN — A nice thing about soccer is that a team doesn’t need to score a plethora of goals to win any given match.

But, a team must score at least once to bask in victory.

That small tidbit has been a hindrance for the Goshen College women’s soccer team thus far this season, as a vastly-improved defensive effort against Cornerstone University Monday afternoon still couldn’t offset a lackluster offensive outing, as the Leafs fell by a 2-0 score at the Goshen College Soccer Complex.

This result was a far better report than the last occasion these two teams met, as Cornerstone outshot Goshen by a 46-0 count in a 6-0 Golden Eagle win on Sept. 11 last year. Monday afternoon, Goshen's defense held Cornerstone to under half of its scoring average, as the Golden Eagles came into the match scoring over four goals per game. Still, for Goshen head coach Thavisith Mounsithiraj, the team’s inability to find the net is cause for concern.

“We have a very effective center midfield, but struggle to get them more involved,” Mounsithiraj said following Monday's match. “We hope to get (senior midfielder) Molly Kauffman and (sophomore midfielder) Lucy Roth more touches on the ball. If we can, we will be sure to see good things happen.”

That twosome was limited Monday afternoon, in part by the solid play of Cornerstone and in part by injury. Goshen (0-3, 0-0) got off to a solid start to open play, staying touch for touch with the Golden Eagles throughout the first 40 minutes of action. A defensive lapse in the 41st minute would change the momentum of the game, however, as Cornerstone was able to break into the scoring column first. Cornerstone’s Anna Meyer was able to make a run on a corner kick, going untouched near the back post where she was able to one touch a well placed corner kick into the back of the net.

And while that goal may not have put the game entirely out of reach for the Leafs, it did serve as a momentum builder for Cornerstone. That fact was evident just over two minutes into the second half of play, as the Eagles’ Mary Koscielniak was able to beat a defender for an open look at freshman keeper Emmy Gibson. Koscielniak took advantage of the one on one opportunity with a low shot to the right corner past Gibson’s outstretched arms. It was only a small blemish on the play of Gibson for the afternoon, as the freshman came up with several incredible saves (10) throughout the match.

“Injury and fatigue hurt our chances in the second half tonight,” Mounsithiraj said. “It forced us to play more conservative offensively and we struggled to possess the ball.”

Among those hobbled was Roth, who has struggled with a ligament strain to the top of her right foot for much of the season. Mounsithiraj elected to pull her midway through the second half after her mobility became affected. This substitution came in addition to one for starting sophomore Mary Jo Martin in the first half of play, as Martin sprained her left ankle just 15 minutes into the match. She did not return.

“We continue to see improvement from our young players,” assistant coach Tera Franklin said. “Emmy Gibson was again very tough in the goal making many great saves and coming out for crosses made by Cornerstone’s attacking players. (Freshman) Amy Clem continues to make good decisions and gets better every game at her outside defensive position. Mary Jo’s injury was obviously a blow for our defensive unit but (sophomore) Erica Hartman did a fine job taking her place for the remainder of the game. Thankfully the sprain is not serious and Martin should be able to give us some minutes in our upcoming games. Lucy Roth will also hopefully be ready to go on Wednesday with a light workout tomorrow.”

The tasks get no easier for the Leafs, as the team will have just one day to prepare for a talented Trinity Christian College squad. The Trolls’ men’s and women’s teams will visit the Goshen College Soccer Complex on Wednesday night. Match time for the women’s event is set for 4:30 p.m. while the men will kick off at approximately 7 p.m.