Trojans Fall Short Against No. 12 IWU
September 29, 2009
A goal in the 78th minute for 12th-ranked Indiana Wesleyan University turned out to be the game-winner for the Wildcats in a 1-0 win over the Taylor University women's soccer team in Tuesday's Mid-Central College Conference opener played at Taylor.
Despite being outshot 16-4, Taylor held its own against an Indiana Wesleyan team that came in averaging nearly three goals per contest.
"Considering we came in a little nervous, the team played pretty well against the 12th-ranked team in the country," said Taylor head coach Scott Stan. "We did a nice job of possessing the ball and getting back into defensive shape."
The scoring strike for the Wildcats came in the 78th minute when Kelsey Johnson crossed the ball to Megan Marshall, who beat Taylor goalkeeper Shawna Lane for Marshall's third goal of the season.
Taylor was unable to mount any serious offensive threats, recording just one shot in the second half. Lane made five of her eight saves in the second half for the Trojans.
"Shawna [Lane] had some really, really big saves," said Stan. "Without her today, we may lose by three or four goals."
Taylor's offensive front line took a hit when leading goal scorer Cara Andjelich went down with an injury in the tenth minute of play and did not return to the field.
Indiana Wesleyan (7-1-1, 1-0 MCC) had nine corner kick opportunities compared to just one for Taylor.
Taylor (4-5-1, 0-1 MCC) will travel to Spring Arbor at 1 p.m. Saturday. The Cougars are receiving votes in the latest NAIA Top 25 Coaches' Poll. It is the first of three straight road contests for the Trojans.