Ravens trouble BU soccer teams

Story by Lauren Bechard

After falling to Heart of America Athletic Conference opponent Benedictine College three separate times last season, the No. 23 Baker University women’s soccer team set out for redemption this time around.

The Wildcats were unable to reclaim their territory, however, as they fell to the Ravens 2-0 at Liston Stadium on Saturday.

The game marked the team’s first loss since Sept. 8, when Baker came up short against McKendree University.

The ‘Cats took a total of nine shots throughout the 90 minutes of play. Junior Shelby Schiraldi, sophomore Shaylynn Eldredge-McMillan and freshman Allison Haddad each lead the way with two attempts.

The women’s team is now 5-4-5 on the season with a 1-1-2 record in HAAC play.

Sophomore Chris Tuso celebrates making a goal during the second half of the Wildcats game against Benedictine College on Oct. 12 at Liston Stadium.Tera Lyons

The 14th ranked BU men’s team, which ended in a tie with the Ravens, now stands at 8-4-2 overall and 2-1-1 in conference action.

The chances of Baker upsetting the No. 7 Benedictine men’s soccer team looked pretty good on Saturday night as the Wildcats secured a 2-0 lead over the Ravens well into the match.

It wasn’t until there were only 17 minutes left on the clock that Benedictine would find the back of the net to close the gap to 2-1. Five minutes later, the Ravens tied it up to send the game into overtime.

Neither team scored in the extra 20 minutes of play after regulation, although senior Andy Griffin had a chance to do so with five minutes left in the second overtime.

The defender stepped up to take a penalty kick, a shot he had been 100 percent successful so far in the season, and took a shot that slammed off the cross bar.

Senior Ben Coyle and sophomore Chris Tuso each scored for Baker, and the team took a total of 14 shots during the game.

The men’s and women’s soccer teams will have a break from HAAC play as they travel to Hastings, Neb., to take on Hastings on Wednesday. The women will begin at 3:30 p.m. and the men will follow at 6 p.m.