Transylvania Fends Off Anderson in HCAC Tournament

Fifth-seeded Transylvania University fended off the fourth-seeded Anderson University women's soccer team with a 2-1 victory during the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC) Tournament quarterfinal on Saturday at Macholtz Stadium.

Emilie Yates put the Pioneers (10-6-2) on the board in the eighth minute with Meaghan Curran providing the assist. Abby Baker gave the Pioneers a 2-0 lead with Abby Dean contributing the assist.

The Ravens (7-8-2) cut the deficit in half in the 86th minute. Jessica Pulaski (Centerville, Ohio / Centerville) served a corner kick. Transylvania attempted to head a clear, but Kylie Roberts (Noblesville, Ind. / Noblesville) blocked the clear and deflected off the crossbar. Anhely Montes (Portland, Ind. / Jay County) took the shot with her left foot off the deflection on the volley and scored the goal. Roberts was credited with the assist.

"This was an amazing team of players and people, and always hard to have the season end," Coach Jennifer Myhre said. "We fought back in the second half, possessing the ball more and creating some nice looks on goal. We pressed until the end and was great for us to find the late goal and finish the game with the momentum."

Transylvania outshot Anderson 12-4 and held an 8-2 advantage in shots on goal.

Baker put each of her three shots on frame to lead the Pioneers. Yates contributed two shots and two shots on goal. Brooke Puterspaugh and Audrey Rawls each recorded two shots and one shot on goal. Erin Heil put her only shot on frame while Dean and Rachel Green each added shots to round out Transylvania's 12 shots.

Morgan Patton saw two shots and came up with one save for Transylvania.

Montes and Kaitlyn Revell (Louisville, Ky. / Assumption) each put their only shot on frame. Lauren Brown (Fort Wayne, Ind. / Homestead) and Pulaski each tallied shots.

Emmalee Paarlberg (Franklin, Ohio / Homeschool) saved six of the eight shots she faced.

Anderson put together a 6-2-1 conference record to earn fourth in the HCAC standings.

"It's been a special season and proud of the team and who they are. They persevered early on and it was great to see it all come together at the right time for an awesome conference season. They were united in the determination and love for the game, as well as each other, which makes a difference and contributed to our success."

Anderson is graduating 10 seniors including Nadia Bentley (Cincinnati, Ohio / Archbishop McNicholas), Corissa Horton (Fountaintown, Ind. / Triton Central), Mallory Housman (Evansville, Ind. / Memorial), Maggie Kolenic (Cleveland, Ohio / Newbury), Harper Manion (Lebanon, Ohio / Bishop Fenwick), Rachel Milford (Fishers, Ind. / Horizon Christian), Nicole Miller (Richland, Mich. / Gull Lake), Jessica Pulaski, Kaitlyn Revell and Izzy Wilson (Decatur, Ind. / Bellmont).

"We are truly thankful for the seniors and the impact they have had on the team over their time. They have each led well, been a remarkable example for the team and have left their legacy. It has been a joy to coach them and I know they will continue to excel and be successful in the game of life!"