Women's Soccer topples Alma (Mich.) 3-0, completes undefeated three-game home stretch
By Blake Moore
ADA - Following a pair of home victories against Case Western Reserve and Trine (Ind.), the Ohio Northern women's soccer program capped off an undefeated three-game home stand Saturday, September 15 as the Polar Bears defeated the visiting Alma (Mich.) Scots 3-0 at Kerscher Stadium in Ada.
With Saturday evening's triumph, ONU improves to 3-2-0 on the season while Alma falls to 2-4-0 in 2018.
Just as she did Friday night against the Thunder, sophomore forward Jenna Fuller (Countryside, Ill.) cracked the scoring column first in the 23rd minute of play, notching her third goal and second game winner of the weekend. During the play, Fuller would receive a pass from senior McKenna Welsh (Westerville/Bishop Hartley), who recorded her team-leading second assist of the season, and beat visiting netminder Ally Wenworth from 12 yards out.
The Polar Bear offense continued to roll in the first half as freshman defender Tara Morris (Monroe) tapped home her first career goal directly off a corner from junior Haley Moses (Mason) in the 35th minute.
Northern would secure one final insurance goal less than two minutes later when Welsh tallied her second goal of the season in the 37th minute of the opening stanza. Sophomore forward Emma Barney (Oak Harbor) and junior defender Hannah Martin (Mason/Mount Notre Dame) would each record their first assists of the campaign on the score.
Other statistical top-performers included sophomore Siena Ward (Newport Beach, Calif./Newport Harbor), who registered a team-high five total shots. Fuller and sophomore defender Sydney Leshnak (Liberty Township/Mount Notre Dame) would trail closely behind with three shots each.
In net, junior Meagan Grierson (Miamisburg) would record her third shutout in as many attempts over the home stand. She would secure three saves on the evening, giving her 12 total deflections on the year.
In Saturday's nonconference outing, the Polar Bears outshot their guests 20-5 over the 90 minutes, which included a 13-1 shot advantage in the opening frame. Northern would also own an 8-3 shots on goal advantage and 6-2 cushion in corner kick opportunities.
Northern is slated to return to action Tuesday evening, September 18, at Oberlin to open up a two-match week. Kickoff is set for 5 p.m. at Shults Field in Oberlin.