Women's soccer easily takes care of Bethel
SILOAM SPRINGS, Ark. -- Sophomore Aspen Robinson struck for her team-leading sixth of the season and freshman Kristen Howell tallied a goal late, lifting the John Brown University women's soccer team to a comfortable 2-0 win over Bethel (Tenn.) on Friday (Sept. 23) evening at Alumni Field.
Robinson again had a game-high eight shots, four on target, helping the Golden Eagles (6-1-1) to its second-straight 2-0 victory and jump-starting its second winning streak of the season.
JBU struck first in the 12th minute when freshman Katherine Haar dished out her third assist of the year by directing a through ball to Robinson, who was cutting between the Wildcat (2-6-1) back line. The perfect pass ended on Robinson's foot, which she chipped a shot past BU keeper Danielle Krzyzaniak from eight yards out.
Despite a narrow advantage in the shooting category in the first half (8-5), John Brown opened up its offense in the latter 45 minutes, barraging the Wildcat goal with shots, mostly produced off counter-attacks in the neutral zone. To the tune of 14-3, the hosts bombarded the goal, finally grabbing an insurance marker in the 64th minute.
After receiving a pass up the left flank, Howell advanced into the box and danced around Krzyzaniak and even dribbled around another Wildcat defender, depositing a shot in the empty net from three yards away. It was Howell's second tally of the season.
Senior Kristen Morency gobbled up four saves in the clean-sheet victory, pushing her shutout mark to four this year. She again adds to the all-time program record, which now stands at 30.1 in her four-year career.
JBU continues easily the best record in the Sooner Athletic and will enter conference play on Wednesday (Sept. 28) at Mid-America Christian in Oklahoma City. Kick off is scheduled for 1 p.m.
