Goshen, IN — After a six-game stretch of scoreless soccer that produced three heartbreaking 0-1 losses and a 0-0 tie, a twist of freshman Kaylee Pichardo’s head changed a lot for the Goshen College women’s soccer team.

Pichardo ended the Leafs’ scoring slump with a headed goal in the second half of Saturday’s Mid-Central Conference tilt against Marian College, helping the team to a 1-0 win in the process.

At first glance, Pichardo’s goal was special. Upon further observation, it may have been history-changing.

“It has been awhile since we’ve won two matches in this very challenging MCC league,” said Thavisith Mounsithiraj, Goshen head coach. “It was very satisfying to see the team put forth such a tremendous effort and courageous effort in a tie against (the University of) St. Francis three days ago (click here for article). But to follow that up with a win against another strong team is just incredible.”

Not since the 1998 season has Goshen won two or more MCC games in any season, as the Leafs posted a 3-4 record in that year. Since then, the program has won either one or no conference games in any given year — until Pichardo’s score pushed the Leafs over the top Saturday.

“I was especially pleased to see that these good results came directly from the team’s hard work and commitment,” Mounsithiraj said. “We will continue to improve on our weaknesses and not dwell too much on this past week.”

Goshen (5-9-1, 2-4-1) looked in control of the visiting Knights from the outset Saturday, as the team’s improved passing and first-touch skills led to an impressive hold of possession for much of the event. After playing on the defensive and surrendering 16 shots on goal to St. Francis just three days prior, Mounsithiraj’s team limited Marian to just three shots on goal Saturday.

“(Saturday’s match) was both an absolutely fun and frustrating match to watch,” Mounsithiraj said. “The win was an overall team effort. My challenge for them before the match was to play for their teammates and to win for their teammates. We had numerous chances to score, but just came up empty most of the time.”

Pichardo, junior Lucy Roth and freshman Alison Gotwals were primarily responsible for several first-half attacks on the Marian defense, as Goshen continually made pushes into the Knights’ defensive third of the field. Mounsithiraj gave credit to his defensive team for giving the offense a chance to work, as freshmen Allison Yoder and Liz Nafziger came up with key plays in the Leafs’ attacks.

“Both Allison and Liz won numerous balls from our defending half and went right at the Marian defense with dribbling,” Mounsithiraj said. “This is something that we have been looking for from our defense the past few years. It really allowed our forwards to have more space to work with.”

After a scoreless first half, it appeared Goshen would take a 1-0 lead just minutes into the second period, as senior MJ Martin received a through ball and put a nifty move on the Knights’ goalkeeper, only to miss her shot just wide of the outside post. With the crowd gasping, it was uncertain if the Leafs would foster any better chance at a score.

Enter Alison Gotwals.

A pair of Marian fouls about 35 yards away from the Knights’ net gave Goshen free kicks with just under 25 minutes remaining in regulation, and Gotwals sent a pair of beautiful, arching serves into the Marian goal box. After the first was cleared successfully by the Knights, Pichardo made easy work of the second, heading the ball into the center of the net from dead on in a bang-bang play that startled the Goshen College Soccer Complex crowd to life.

“Kaylee played as if her life was dependent upon her scoring today,” Mounsithiraj said. “She worked extremely hard in opening up chances for herself to score as well as running off the ball for a chance at the goal. I thought both she and Lucy Roth did a very good job in pressuring the ball up front and fighting for every 50-50 ball. Her goal came after a beautiful serve by Ali Gotwals from a free kick. I don't believe any keeper could keep that ball from going in.”

Marian’s pushes increased in both number and magnitude in the match’s final 20 minutes, but sophomore goalkeeper Emmy Gibson and senior defender Hannah Eash led the Leafs’ defensive team to persevere, posting the squad’s fifth shutout of the season.

With the win, Goshen now finds itself in a fight for sixth place in the league. The Leafs will next host Spring Arbor University — a team tied for first place — Tuesday night. Match time is set for 7 p.m.

“Spring Arbor will be the toughest team we will have faced yet,” Mounsithiraj said. “They have been very efficient in putting balls into the net.”

Tuesday’s contest is slated to be carried live by 91.1 FM The Globe and webcast at www.globeradio.org. For a complete look at the current MCC standings and remaining schedules, click here.