Women's Soccer closes out regular season with 6-0 win over Muskingum on Senior Day

By: Andrew Korba

ADA -- The Ohio Northern women's soccer team scored four first half goals en route to a 6-0 victory over Muskingum in its OAC regular season finale on Senior Day at Kerscher Stadium.

The Polar Bears move to 10-8-1 on the season, while the Fighting Muskies conclude their season at 8-9-2, 1-8-0.

ONU will now be the No. 3-seed in the OAC Tournament and will host Baldwin Wallace at 2 pm on Tuesday.

The Polar Bears wasted no time getting on the board, controlling possession right away.

Senior Sami Atkinson sent a cross, that senior Sandy Plunkett shot into the back of the net, just 15 seconds into the match.

Freshman Shelby Stephens sent a cross that senior Sandra Thorarensen headed past the keeper in the 34th minute, to make it 2-0.

Freshman Alaura Mikesell made it 3-0 in favor of the Polar Bears, taking a pass from senior Lauryn Zielinski and beating the keeper at the 37:48 mark.

Three minutes later, sophomore Nicole Berry sent a ball from just inside of midfield that found the back of the net to make it 4-0.

The goal was the first in her career.

Mikesell registered her second goal of the afternoon, taking a pass from freshman Rachel Weigman and beating the keeper in the 83rd minute.

Freshman Haley Napier closed out the scoring with her first career goal, taking a corner kick from Stephens and beating the keeper to the lower left.

"This was a great way for us to finish out conference," said head coach Mark Batman. "I am happy for our seniors to go out this way. Now we will wait and see who we play in the OAC Tournament."

Sophomore Emily Brodict (9-7-1) made one save in one half of play.

Senior Alyssa Mason also made a save in goal in the second half.

ONU outshot the Muskies 33-4, including a 21-2 advantage in shots on goal.

Northern also took eight corner kicks, while Muskingum took none.