FULTON, Mo. - Despite playing its third match in the space of six days, William Woods (2-1-3) looked dominant in a 2-0 win over Evangel University (1-1-1) on Wednesday night. Both goalscorers for the Owls struck for their first career goals -
Bri Reynolds in the 32nd minute and
Adalyn Nienhaus in the 67th.
"I'm happy that we found our way back into the win column tonight against a tough Evangel side," said head coach
Lauren Robb. "This result will give us some good momentum heading into Sunday's match against University of Jamestown."
Woods came out positively dominant in the first half, holding a 63-37 edge in possession over the first quarter hour of the match.
Megan Hughes nearly struck first for WWU in the 12th minute, but her shot was cleared out of danger by an Evangel defender.
Evangel started to find its way into the match following an 18th minute substitution, as Maddy Wanner found herself open and tested
Belle Boschert.
Maddy Schrader had a solid effort in the 31st minute that was parried wide by Valor keeper Rylee Clapp, but the Owls turned the corner kick opportunity into a 1-0 lead. Woods held possession in the midfield on the right wing, with
Lauren Helmert connecting with
Alex Nortrup breaking up the line. Nortrup's cross found its way through traffic to the foot of Reynolds for the tap in.
As the first half wound to a close,
Charley Luczak nearly doubled the lead for WWU on another corner kick, but her shot was saved off the line by a Valor defender.
The visiting side almost found a lifeline in the 44th minute, after a foul 30 yards out gave the Valor a free kick. Makayla Myers sent a hard free kick toward the left post, with a last-second dip keeping Boschert from getting a clean handle on the shot. Liyah Collins pounced on the rebound but Boschert was equal to the task and smothered the shot.
After the break, Evangel came out pressing, forcing Boschert into another pair of saves in the 49th minute, but the AMC Defensive Player of the Week showed why she earned the honor, keeping the scoresheet clean.
The Owls held on to the edge in possession over the next several minutes, finally capitalizing in the 67th minute as Woods earned a free kick deep in the left corner. The inswinger caromed off the bicep of a twisting Valor defender, but the officials held the whistle waiting for the play to develop.
Nienhaus collected the partially cleared ball at the top of the 18 and blasted a shot across the mouth of the goal into the left corner, triggering the celebration.
Evangel mustered one final chance in the 90th minute, but Boschert steered Madison Burns's shot around the right post for a harmless corner kick.
The Owls close out their four-match home swing on Sunday, Sept. 8, hosting University of Jamestown. The match is being played in recognition of World Suicide Prevention Day, with proceeds from the match and a raffle going to benefit Katie's Save. Kickoff is set for 11 a.m.
