Goshen, IN — Scoring just a single goal and giving up 14 scores in losing its first four matches of the season, it was apparent that the Goshen College women’s soccer team needed to make some adjustments to turn its season around.

After erupting for four scores and holding the visiting Bethel College Threshers (North Newton, Kan.) scoreless Friday night at the Goshen College Soccer Complex, consider the adjustments made.

Goshen (1-4, 0-0) got production from nearly everyone that stepped on the field Friday evening, putting together by far its most impressive display of the season while avoiding the program’s record books as well. No Goshen team has ever started a season dropping its initial five contests. Friday evening against the Threshers, it was a virtual no-contest.

“Our plan was to put the ball more in the feet of midfield playmakers (senior) Molly Kauffman and (sophomore) Lucy Roth,” said Thavisith Mounsithiraj, Goshen head coach. “Both were keys in all four of our goals for our first win of the season. This certainly has given us our confidence back after going winless in the first four matches, but we still have work to do. We can play better.”

Kauffman got things going early for the Leafs, sending a nice through ball to senior forward Tara Plank at the 16th minute-mark. Plank was fouled inside the 18-yard box, giving Goshen its second penalty kick opportunity of the young season. Mounsithiraj called upon Kauffman to do the honors, and the senior buried the right-footed shot into the lower left corner of the net. Goshen had secured its first lead of the season.

And while the team could not find the goal for the remainder of the first half, the team did not play tight with the advantage. Just eight minutes into the second half, Plank was at it again, taking another through ball from Kauffman and knocking in her second score of the season.

“That second goal by Tara was key for us,” Mounsithiraj said. “We began to play even more assertively following that key play.”

That assertion was apparent just one minute later, as sophomore Erica Hartman was the beneficiary of a beautiful pass from Roth into the box. Hartman — filling in at forward due to sister Kelsey’s nagging knee injury — scored her first collegiate goal with a nifty one on one move that sent the Bethel keeper flying.

“We mostly use Erica in the back and midfield, but she was asked to fill in up front due to injury,” Mounsithiraj said. “She responded well when she was given a through ball from Lucy Roth and was able to fight through a tough one versus one marking.”

Plank then finished things off with her second goal of the afternoon, taking another pass from Roth and calmly touching the ball into the net following a fast-break opportunity. Mounsithiraj said he was pleased with the offensive outburst his team was able to provide, but still wasn’t happy with the opportunities that went unused: Goshen took 15 shots on goal for the evening.

“Our 15 chances on goal were quality,” Mounsithiraj said. “We will need to finish those chances when they are given to us.”

Not lost in the offensive fireworks was the stellar play of the Leafs’ defensive unit, turning in the first shut out performance of the season. Mounsithiraj credited the play of juniors Hannah Eash and Mary Jo Martin along with sophomore Sarah Groff and freshman Amy Clem for holding the Threshers to just two shots on goal for the evening. Freshman keeper Emmy Gibson provided two saves.

“Our defensive unit was strong again today, and Emmy Gibson is deserving of a shut out based on how well she’s played so far this year,” Mounsithiraj said. “We will return to training in hopes of continual improvement. Our schedule does not get easier.”

Goshen will hit the road next Wednesday, when the team will travel to NCAA Division III Manchester College. Match time is set for 4:30 p.m.