Ravens Rout Yellow Jackets

The Anderson University women's soccer team defeated the Defiance College Yellow Jackets in a high-scoring contest for a Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference match-up on Wednesday. After 90 minutes of regulation time, the Ravens secured a 6-0 victory over the Yellow Jackets in a game that saw 49 Anderson shots.

Goals came quickly for the Ravens (5-5-2, 4-0-1). From the opening minute, the Ravens dominated possession, keeping the ball on their offensive end for most of the game. The Ravens would rip off six shots, four on target, before finding the back of the net in the 7^th minute. Brooke Neu (West Chester, Ohio / Lakota West) assisted Jessica Pulaski (Centerville, Ohio / Centerville) with a pass off the end line inside the 18-yard box to an on-running Pulaski who one touched the shot through the Yellow Jackets (2-9, 0-5) goalkeepers' legs.

Anderson wasted no time taking more shots, and it was only a matter of minutes before they built on their lead. Taylor Fort (Pendleton, Ind. / Pendleton Heights) found the goal off a Harper Manion (Lebanon, Ohio / Bishop Fenwick) assist in the 11^th minute. In a very similar play to the Ravens first goal, Manion passed the ball to Fort from the end line and Fort was able to send the ball just to the left of the diving goalkeeper.

Izzy Wilson (Decatur, Ind. / Bellmont) then found herself a goal as Taylor Fort was on the opposite end this time with an assist in the 16^th minute. Fort passed the ball to Wilson who was waiting on the left inside of the 18-yard box. Wilson took a touch to control the ball, a touch to get pass the defender, one more to set herself up and then ripped a shot just off the ground into the inside corner of the goal, right between the post and the keeper. Just 16 minutes into the game the Ravens led the visiting Yellow Jackets 3-0.

As some time passed and the shots continued, the Ravens made multiple subs into the game. With a whole new team on the field, the Ravens continued to search for more goals. In the 30^th minute, Riley Schultz (Circleville, Ohio / Logan Elm) built the Ravens' lead off a Lauren Brown (Fort Wayne, Ind. / Homestead) assist. Brown received a long ball inside the 18-yard box and made a crossing pass right in front of the Yellow Jackets keeper to a defenseless Schultz. Schultz earned her first career goal as a Raven.

The rest of the half came and went with the Ravens continuing to shoot the ball. At the end of the first 45 minutes, Anderson led Defiance 4-0.

Coming out of halftime, Harper Manion struck three shots, all on goal, but was unable to find the back of the net between the 46^th and 50^th minute.

Most of the second half would go by before the Ravens found the goal for the fifth time. After multiple shots, Taylor Baker (Springfield, Ohio / Catholic Central) put the ball into the goal in the 85^th minute off an Anhely Montes (Portland, Ind. / Jay County) assist. Surrounded by defenders, Montes was able to find a wide-open Baker who took one touch and rocketed her into the upper-left corner, opposite of where she shot from, and just over the keeper's hands.

Then, with 36 seconds remaining in the game, Lillie Casey (Loveland, Ohio / Goshen) joined in on the goal scoring. Casey shot the ball from in-between the sideline and the 18-yard box, sending the ball high and far. The ball hit off the far-left post and bounced into the goal. With just a couple seconds left to play, the Ravens secured a 6-0 victory over the Yellow Jackets, their largest victory of the season so far.

Head Coach Jennifer Myhre had the following to say after the match: "[Wednesday] was a great team win and it was awesome to see so many players have an impact on the game. We knew Defiance was going to pack the box and the key was to stay disciplined moving the ball around and being patient in the attack. We did a great job stretching wide and getting in behind. Each of the goals were great buildups and strong finishes. Overall, this game was one of our best in regards to shot selection and keeping them on frame. Hats off to their keeper, as she played well and made quality saves all game long."

Inside the box score, the domination continued for the Ravens. Anderson allowed Defiance to take zero shots, while taking 49 shots themselves, 33 of which were on goal. 15 Ravens got in on the shot action, with six different Ravens finding the back of the net. Jessica Pulaski led the Ravens with eight shots, seven on frame, and one in goal. Taylor Baker was right behind her with seven shots, five on frame, and one in goal. Then it was Taylor Fort who took five shots, two on frame, and one in goal. Izzy Wilson and Lillie Casey each had three shots, one in goal, with Wilson hitting all three on frame and Casey with two. Riley Schultz put her only shot in the back of the goal. In goal, Mallory Housman (Evansville, Ind. / Memorial) picked up the shutout after facing no shots from Defiance.

Anderson now hits the road for their next three games. On Sunday they head to Bluffton, Ohio to take on the Beavers of Bluffton University (4-8, 1-4). Kickoff is set for 1PM.