Statesmen Earn Impressive Draw Versus #18 Pioneers

Olathe, Kan.--In position to pull off one of the biggest upsets in the program's history, the William Penn women's soccer team had to settle for a much-earned 2-2 draw against #18 MidAmerica Nazarene in Heart of America Athletic Conference action Saturday.

WPU (2-3-4, 0-2-1 Heart), which is still seeking its first league victory, nearly picked it up in its matchup with MNU (9-0, 3-0 Heart), being outshot just 13-10.

The visitors fell into an early hole, however, as the Pioneers scored at the 4:02 mark, but the navy and gold reset the contest as Lilly Cote (Jr., Sioux City, Iowa, Psychology) produced the equalizer unassisted only 2:01 later.

Cote then put her crew ahead in the 25th minute off a double assist from Emma Brandt (So., Cologne, Germany, Sports Management) and Sian Bah (Jr., London, England, Political Science).  She finished with a team-high four shots, including three on target.

Holding the one-goal advantage, the Statesmen then settled in nicely, keeping the home side out of the goal for almost the remainder of the matchup.  As aforementioned, though, the squad did not just pack it in defensively and hope to keep MidAmerica Nazarene out of the goal.  In fact, William Penn actually held an 8-7 edge in shots on goal.

Unfortunately, in the 83rd minute, the Pioneers were finally able to bring the score to even at 2-2 and neither team could break the tie again.

Madeline Danielson (Sr., La Crescent, Minn., Biology) recorded five saves to help the Statesmen achieve the draw.

"This is what William Penn women's soccer will look like going forward," Head Coach Kaleb Preston said.  "Today was a display of the true potential of this group with everyone working for each other with passion and intensity.  I personally feel like MNU is the team to beat this year in the Heart and we were a mere seven minutes and a soft penalty call away from stealing the Upset of the Year at the next Statesmen Awards Show."

Next Up: William Penn travels to Cedar Rapids next Saturday to face Mount Mercy in Heart play at 1 p.m.