Scoring both goals on free kicks, the Wilmington College women’s soccer team defeated Baldwin Wallace 2-1 Saturday in an Ohio Athletic Conference match on the Townsend Field turf at Williams Stadium.
“I told the girls, ‘You have to win at home’,” said Wilmington head coach Steve Spirk. “We have competed with everyone that we’ve played. This is our house and we have to be able to play well and win; and we did.”
With the win, Spirk now has 299 career victories.
It was Wilmington’s first victory in the series since 2012, and the Fightin’ Quakers are now 2-5-2 against the Yellow Jackets in the last nine games.
A free kick in the 42nd minute gave BW the lead heading into halftime.
Turnabout was fair play in the second half as senior Ashley Lovett (Washington Court House, OH/Senior) drew a foul one yard outside the box, giving Wilmington a free kick from the 11 yardline. Senior Mellonee Hall (Beavercreek, OH/Beavercreek) cashed in the opportunity as her shot clanged off the crossbar, and went straight down over the line in the 63rd minute.
Free kick specialist Hannah Greaney (Dayton, OH/Carroll) proved her prowess in the 82nd minute, drilling a free kick through the goalkeepers’ hands from 47 yards out.
“When you get to OAC play, you see (free kicks) a lot,” said Spirk. “Not just regular season play, but in the playoffs. The teams that can convert free kicks have a really good chance of winning. I thought we had a chance to score on others, but they were able to clear off the line.”
With the game tied at one, sophomore goalkeeper Leda Moyer (Martinsville, OH/Clinton-Massie) came up with the play of the game, saving a one-on-one attempt in the 67th minute. Moyer, who entered at halftime, saved both of the shots she faced.
“I decided before the game to play both goalkeepers,” said Spirk. “Both are good players, and decided that Leda could do the job. It worked out well. Ana (Hosler) was in the first half and Leda brought it home.”
Wilmington (5-5-2 overall, 1-1-1 OAC) travels to Otterbein 7 p.m. Tuesday to face the Cardinals in OAC play.
