As the Baker University women’s soccer team’s regular season came to an end, Liston Stadium provided an atmosphere of bittersweet competition for the team, especially for seniors Jordan Dolbin and Finola Corley.
Prior to their game against Culver-Stockton College Oct. 27, Dolbin and Corley were recognized for their accomplishments during their time as Wildcats.
“As a transfer, to feel such a sense of welcoming and closeness to this team is something that I feel made this senior night so special,” Corley said. “I’m proud to finish and play my final season at Baker. Personally, it’s not a sad moment. I may not say that when the final whistle blows, but it’s just another stage in my life and doors will open for other experiences once this one is over.”
Baker’s performance brought about joyous emotion on senior night as the Wildcatsw shut out Culver-Stockton 3-0 with the help of a goal and an assist by Dolbin.
The senior forward put Baker on the board in the 23rd minute of the game and connected with sophomore Alexa Fryer in the 51st to secure the lead for their team.
Sophomore Kayla Infanti scored the final goal for the ‘Cats and sophomore Rachel Theobald recorded the shut out with five saves.
Their last conference match-up of the season wasn’t one of their more enjoyable home games, though, as they fell to Missouri Valley College 4-3 with a mere six seconds left in double overtime.
“That’s what you call soccer,” Corley said. “I’ve learned that some things go your way and others don’t. (Missouri Valley) took a chance against us and it paid off for them in the last seconds of the game.”
MVC picked up an early 1-0 lead over Baker after Breann Kinworthy’s penalty kick shot beat Theobald into the back of the net in the 16th minute of the game.
Dolbin led the team once again, recording an assist on Baker’s first goal scored by sophomore Ashley Mauck and then scoring a goal of her own giving her team the 2-1 lead in the 67th minute.
The battle was back and forth from then on, as the Vikings scored to tie the game in the 73rd minute, which was answered with a goal by sophomore Alexa Fryer to put Baker ahead once again. With just one minute left in regulation, MVC scored a goal to tie the game and send it into overtime.
Scoreless in the first overtime, the battle continued for another 10 minutes of extra time, in which the Vikings were able to come out on top, ending Baker’s regular season with a record if 11-5-1 overall and 5-3 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference.
Baker earned the No. 3 seed in the HAAC postseason tournament and the Wildcats will take on the No. 6 seed MidAmerica Nazarene University at 7 p.m. Friday at Liston Stadium.
In their last match up against MNU, the Wildcats were able to defeat their rivals in a 5-0 shutout. The winner of this round will play the No. 2 seed Benedictine College Tuesday.
