Anderson Takes Down Transylvania in HCAC Opener

On Wednesday, the Anderson University women's soccer team secured a huge 2-1 victory over the visiting Transylvania University Pioneers in the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC) opener for the 2021-2022 season.

Entering the match, the Pioneers (5-3-1, 0-1) had scored 14 times and allowed just five goals in eight matches. The Ravens (2-5-1, 1-0) are the first team this season to net multiple goals against Transylvania. "The start of conference is a time reset and have a clean slate, where everyone is in the chase," said Coach Jennifer Myhre.

Taylor Fort (Pendleton, Ind. / Pendleton Heights) opened the game with a shot outside the 18-yard box within the first two minutes for the Ravens but the Pioneers' goalkeeper Morgan Patton was able to get to it, stopping an early lead for the Ravens. From that point on, both sides wasted no time firing shots at goal. It was an evenly-matched contest through the first 45 minutes, with both sides taking seven shots a piece. The Ravens hit three on frame, while the Pioneers recorded just one that Ravens goalkeeper Emmalee Paarlberg (Franklin, Ohio / Homeschool) was able to get her hands on to keep it a scoreless game. The first half came and went with neither team finding the back of the net.

Coming out of halftime at a 0-0 draw, both teams were giving it their all to get on the board. In the 59th minute, the Pioneers did just that. A foul by the Ravens rewarded the Pioneers with a free kick outside the 18-yard box on the right side of the field. Abby Baker of Transylvania took the free kick, and netted the ball into the center of the goal, just under the crossbar.

A few minutes passed before the Ravens were able to gain possession on their offensive end. Then, in the 62nd minute, Izzy Wilson (Decatur, Ind. / Bellmont) received the ball from Jessica Pulaski (Centerville, Ohio / Centerville) on the left outside the 18-yard box where she juked her defender to take a touch towards the inside of the goal. Wilson then blasted a shot towards the goal and into the back of the net to tie the game up 1-1. With the game tied up, the Ravens found a new round of energy to keep pushing because two minutes later in the 64th minute, the Ravens would once again find the back of the net. Anderson's second, and game-winning goal came from Taylor Fort who was assisted by Holly Garrett (Dayton, Ohio / Dayton Christian) and Lillie Casey (Loveland, Ohio / Goshen). The play started with Garrett receiving the ball on the right side inside the 18-yard box, making a one-touch pass into the center of the box to an oncoming Lillie Casey. Casey mishit the ball but Taylor Fort was there to step in and slide the ball past the Pioneers goalkeeper to give the Ravens a 2-1 lead.

Through the remainder of the half the Ravens held strong defensively, allowing the Pioneers to record just one more shot.  Anderson took two more chances before moving to a complete defensively-minded game to secure a home victory.

"We had focused in practices and renewed energy this week, which set the tone for [Wednesday]. As alumna Donna Fishter reminded us this is the time to go into the next gear and accelerate into conference, leaving nothing behind." Jennifer Myhre said after the match. "We had the fight all game, and didn't let up even going down. Izzy Wilson really brought the energy and took a great strike to get us on the board. With Holly's cross it was great to have both Lillie and Fort running through and good discipline to put it away. Defensively Izzy Trader really stepped up and was on them all game. This was key and [I'm] proud of the preparation, fight and energy by all."

Anderson and Transylvania competed evenly through the entire 90 minutes, both teams took a total of 12 shots, with the Ravens recording six on goal and the Pioneers tallying two. Taylor Fort and Izzy Wilson each tallied four shots on the day, with each of Fort's shot's being on frame while Wilson hit one. Corissa Horton (Fountaintown, Ind. / Triton Central) took two shots for the Ravens, Jessica Pulaski had one, and Lillie Casey hit her only shot on frame.

The Ravens now look to build on their conference win as they host Franklin College in an HCAC matchup and Kicks for Cancer on Saturday. Franklin come in with a 2-6 overall record and a 1-0 conference record after defeating Manchester University 1-0 on Wednesday. Kickoff is set for 1PM at the AU Soccer Fields.