Anderson Smashes Earlham in HCAC Match

The Anderson University women's soccer team smashed Earlham College with a 4-0 victory during Wednesday's Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC) matchup in Richmond.

Action started early for the Ravens (4-5-1, 3-0) as Taylor Fort (Pendleton, Ind. / Pendleton Heights) was fouled inside the 18-yard box during the third minute. Fort took the penalty kick for the Ravens and delivered the goal, giving Anderson a 1-0 lead. The match remained at 1-0 for the remainder of the half.

During the 60th minute, an Earlham (1-8, 0-3) defender tried to clear the ball out of the Quaker defensive quarter. The ball accidentally bounced off another Earlham defender and went back into the goal for an own goal, giving Anderson a 2-0 lead.

Four minutes later, Fort made a drive on the left side of the 6-yard box. She turned and made the pass to Lillie Casey (Loveland, Ohio / Goshen), who converted the goal. During the 69th minute, Casey had the ball above the 18-yard box on the top left side. Casey fired the shot from at least 25 yards away and found the back of the next. The freshman from Loveland, Ohio scored two goals for the second match in a row.

"It was great to come out in the second half with new focus and energy," Coach Jennifer Myhre said. "We found our rhythm again and started to play quicker and make smarter decisions with the ball. Those were great balls by Lillie and quality strikes, especially the last one. I was pleased with how we kept a clean sheet and finished the second half strong."

The Ravens defense limited Earlham to just five shots and two shots on goal. Emmalee Paarlberg (Franklin, Ohio / Homeschool) started the first half and saved both of the shots she faced. During the second half, Mallory Housman (Evansville, Ind. / Memorial) served in goal for 25 minutes while Meg White (Greenwood, Ind. / Center Grove) served in goal for 20 minutes. Earlham did not register a shot on goal in the second half.

The Ravens outshot the Quakers 25-5 and held a 13-2 advantage in shots on goal. Fort produced five shots and four shots on goal. Casey recorded five shots and three shots on goal. Anhely Montes (Portland, Ind. / Jay County) put both of her shots on frame. Taylor Baker (Springfield, Ohio / Catholic Central) contributed three shots and one shot on goal. Jessica Pulaski (Centerville, Ohio / Centerville) and Izzy Wilson (Decatur, Ind. / Bellmont) tallied two shots apiece. Brooke Neu (West Chester, Ohio / Lakota West) and Riley Schultz (Circleville, Ohio / Logan Elm) each produced a shot on goal while Lauren Brown (Fort Wayne, Ind. / Homestead), Corissa Horton (Fountaintown, Ind. / Triton Central), Harper Manion (Lebanon, Ohio / Bishop Fenwick) and Kaitlyn Revell (Louisville, Ky. / Assumption) each added shots.

The Ravens host Mount St. Joseph University (6-7, 3-0) for Homecoming and Senior Day on Saturday at 12 p.m. at the AU Soccer Fields. Following the match, the AU Soccer programs will be celebrating the completion of Stage 1 of the AU Soccer Stadium project with a ribbon cutting ceremony.