DUBUQUE, Iowa - Despite recording six more shots in the second half than the first, William Woods University (5-4-3) lost 3-0 to future conference opponent Clarke University (9-1-3) on the road Tuesday at Burrows Field.
"We definitely got better today by playing better competition," William Woods women's soccer coach
Lauren Robb said. "There were moments of excellent soccer being played by our girls. Proud of our team for implementing key coaching points and facing a tough Clarke team. We will recover and get ready for Saturday."
Three Owls put at least one shot on goal in the defeat, with
Hannah Loethen's two shots on target leading the way;
Zoe Lockhert and
Zoe Hargis each had a shot on net. The Pride outshot WWU 18 (eight shots on goal) to eight (four shots on goal).
In the first half, William Woods goalkeeper
Belle Boschert stopped two of Clarke's three shots on goal.
Morgan Catchur scored the Prides' first goal 7:47 into the contest, tapping in her shot left corner off a Boschert save, and that concluded the first-half scoring with Clarke up 1-0.
The Owls applied pressure on the Prides' defense in the second half, notching all four of their shots on goal. In the final 45 minutes, WWU was more clinical offensively, with 57.1 percent of its seven shots on net compared to 50 percent of Clarke's 10 shots.
Just over 10 minutes into the second half, the Pride doubled their advantage when Jayden Black played a through ball to Bailey Wiemann, a transfer from NCAA Division I University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, who broke through WWU's defense and scored left corner from her right-footed shot on the right side of the pitch.
Juanita Tibocha sealed Clarke's 3-0 victory in the 61st minute. After getting pushed down in the penalty box and winning a penalty, Tibocha netted her penalty kick into the bottom left corner.
That was one of the few fouls Woods had. The Owls tallied just three fouls compared to the Prides' seven.
Boschert (4-3-3) recorded the loss in goal, her first defeat in three matches. It was the only time she had given up three or more goals this season, as she made four saves in seven attempts.
William Woods (1-0 American Midwest Conference) heads home and hosts Williams Baptist University (3-8, 1-1 AMC) for Senior Day at 1 p.m. Saturday at North Campus Athletic Complex in Fulton.
