FULTON, Mo. - In desperate need of a win to secure at least one home match in the conference postseason, William Woods (6-7-3, 3-1-2 AMC) took care of business on Tuesday night against Harris-Stowe State University (13-3-1, 4-2-1 AMC) as
Sydney Balducci and
Cindy Gonzalez each picked up their fifth goals of the season in a 2-1 win.
The Owls broke the game open in the fourth minute on a booming counterattack, as
Lydia Sims launched a clearance from just outside the 18-yard box straight up the middle. Balducci outran her marker to collect the ball in stride and slotted the ball past a charging Saga Stralman into an empty net.
Harris-Stowe found an equalizer on the counterattack as well, leveling terms in the 11th minute. Stralman collected a cross and immediately looked to distribute, but her punt was controlled by WWU and pinged around the midfield. As the ball popped loose, Yasmina Dressen sprinted in from the left wing and sent a long, hopeful ball up the middle. Ninke Van Den Broek timed her run well behind the Owls back line, but
Belle Boschert charged out immediately to cut down the angle. Boschert's pursuit nearly worked, as the Hornets attacker was forced to chip the ball earlier than planned, but the shot skimmed just under the crossbar.
Woods had the better of the possession through the rest of the first half, but wasn't able to connect until the 47th minute. Gonzalez played a ball out of midfield to
Hannah Loethen on the left wing, and Loethen whipped a shot toward the back post. Her shot pinged off the crossbar and down, where a HSSU defender tried to head the ball clear. The clearance went only as far as a pursuing Gonzalez, who was able to one-time the ball with her left into the roof of the net.
WWU continued to press, earning three corner kicks before the hour mark and two more in the final 15 minutes. The Owls weren't able to convert on any of their chances, but the defense held HSSU at bay to earn the win.
The win puts William Woods largely in control of its own destiny for AMC postseason play, as WWU is level in third with Central Baptist College on 11 points, with second place still in reach for both teams with wins in the final regular-season match.
Woods will host Stephens College at noon on Saturday, with its senior day recognition taking place prior to the match.
