Women’s soccer bested by Earlham, 4-0

DEFIANCE, Ohio – In a battle of teams searching for their first points in HCAC play, the Earlham Quakers ousted the Defiance Yellow Jackets, 4-0, at Winsper Knobel Field on Wednesday.

The shutout by the Quakers (2-6-1, 1-2 HCAC) was their first of the season while the Yellow Jackets (2-7-2, 0-3 HCAC) suffered their fourth shutout in five matches. Earlham ended the contest with 40 shots on goal, giving Defiance their fourth game in a row of facing heavy offensive pressure and 35 shots or more.

Earlham possessed the ball for most of the first half and built a 4-0 lead by halftime. Over the first 45 minutes, the Quakers outshot Definace 22-1 and took six corner kicks.

The game's first score developed during the seventh minute of the contest as Mallory Smith angled a 14-yard shot inside the right post and past Defiance keeper Sarah O'Shea, which was Smith's team-best fifth goal of the season. Earlham scored three times in a 12-minute span starting 20 minutes after their first strike, two of which came from corner kicks. In the 28th minute, Noelle Hooper sent the ball in from the right corner and sent a laser into the top shelf after a few passes kept the possession going. Minutes later, Hooper crossed in a corner during the 34th minute that was headed through by Giulianna Russell. Hooper helped create Earlham's fourth goal with 5:22 left in the half when her shot in front of the net was batted down by O'Shea and netted off the rebound by Taliyah Coles.

Maroon and white played with the ball at their feet for most of the second half as well, but the Jackets stood tough and held Earlham scoreless over the second 45 minutes. O'Shea was removed due to injury and Madison Hert finished the contest between the pipes over the final six minutes of the contest.

Defiance's lone shot in the game came from Hallie Webb. O'Shea faced 21 total shots on goal and stopped 17 attempts for saves.

The Yellow Jackets are back on the pitch this Saturday with a road HCAC matchup with Rose-Hulman. Kickoff on Saturday is scheduled for 1 p.m.

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