Lions Top Ravens with Early Scores in HCAC Postseason Match

On Wednesday, the Anderson University women's soccer team traveled back down to Cincinnati, Ohio to take on the Lions of Mount St. Joseph University in Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC) postseason play. After a tough fight, and a 45-minute lightning delay, the Ravens fell to the Lions 2-1.

The Ravens entered the match after finishing with a regular season record of 3-4-1, with their tie coming against the Lions, who were 3-3-1, last Friday. Anderson and Mount St. Joseph shared 5/6th place in the HCAC standings heading into Wednesday's game.

The Ravens faced a strong Lions defense at the start of the game. Mount St. Joseph would go on to capitalize on their opportunities, with Lauren Haynes finding the back of the net first just 12 minutes and 10 seconds into the game.  The Lions went on to build their lead in the 19th minute with a goal by Jodie Weimer.

The Ravens first shot came in the 23rd minute the first half by Kaitlyn Revell (Louisville, Ky./Assumption). Revell's shot gave the Ravens what they needed to continue with pressure. Anderson would get on the board in the 35 minutes when Harper Manion (Lebanon, Ohio/Bishop Fenwick) laid back a pass to Corissa Horton (Fountaintown, Ind./Triton Central) who took the shot on the 20-yard line that went high and right in-between the goalpost and the Lions' goalkeepers' hands.

Right after the Ravens goal, both teams were sent into the locker rooms on a 45-minute lightning delay.

Coming out of the lighting delay, 11 minutes remained in the half. The Ravens were outshot 3-1, but a save by Elizabeth Graham (Riverside, Ohio/Carroll) kept the Ravens within one going into halftime.

The second half saw a defensive battle between the two teams. Over the 45 minutes, there would only be three shots that took place, with the Lions taking two, and Taylor Fort (Pendleton, Ind./Pendleton Heights) taking the Ravens only shot. Fort's shot was on frame in the 87th minute, but was saved by the Lions goalkeeper. Both teams continued to hold strong on their defensive as the final minutes ticked away.

At the end of 90 minutes of play, the Ravens ultimately fell to the Lions. The Ravens had five shots with two on goal, while the Lions had 10 with four on goal. Both teams took three corner kicks each. Ravens goalkeeper Graham and Mallory Housman (Evansville, Ind./Reitz Memorial) each recorded one save over their 45 minutes of action. Revell led the Ravens with two shots.

The Ravens ended their 2020-2021 season with a final record of 3-5-1, earning all three wins at home in Macholtz Stadium. Over the nine games played, the Ravens recorded 12 goals. Fort led the team with a total of three goals and three assists on the season. Graham led the team with 22 saves over 643 minutes of play in nine games.

Congratulations to the five seniors Jessica McNeil (Eaton, Ind./Delta), Sarah Sexton (Monticello, Ky./Wayne County), Tori Baver (Garrett, Ind./Garrett), Emily Albert (New Albany, Ind./Christian Academy of Indiana) and Tyller Leath (Fortville, Ind./Mount Vernon) on their careers as Ravens. Your contribution to the program will be deeply missed!

Be sure to stay up-to-date on the women's soccer team as they look forward to the 2021-2022 season!