Despite out-shooting Avila University 30-9, the Baker women’s soccer team allowed a goal on a free kick in the 107th minute to lose in double overtime Wednesday in Kansas City, Mo.
The Wildcats are now 1-1 in conference play and 6-3 overall after losing to Avila and defeating Central Methodist University 3-0 in the conference opener Saturday at Liston Stadium.
The Wildcats scored their first goal of the game with a little more than 15 minutes left in the first half. Junior Alix Schiraldi scored on a misplaced ball by the Central Methodist goalkeeper.
“We are really good at finding each other’s feet and knowing where to play the ball,” goalkeeper Maggie Dupes said. “We have girls that can put a perfect ball into the box for us.”
Baker Orange staff member Jordan Dolbin did just that, crossing the ball to senior Christine Janssens, who headed the ball right into the net to give Baker a 2-0 advantage.
The final goal, scored by Dolbin, just barely grazed the Central Methodist’s goalkeeper’s fingers before falling into the net. All three of the Baker goals came in the first half.
“We dominated the play basically the entire game,” Dupes said. “I didn’t have to do much, which is always a plus.”
The Wildcats had possession of the ball for most of the game, out-shooting Central Methodist 12-1.
“We had a lot of scoring opportunities,” Janssens said. “We just could’ve capitalized on many more than we did.”
Janssens, Schiraldi and Dolbin have all worked strongly together on the offensive end this season and have held their own against strong defenses.
“We all read each other really well and make runs off of each other really well,” Janssens said.
Senior Jennifer Sampson is another player whose hard work hasn’t been unnoticed by head coach Nate Houser.
“She is moving forward to really breaking out soon,” Houser said.
BU began the season having trouble starting games, but the team showed improvement Saturday by leading 3-0 at halftime.
Baker’s next matches are against William Jewell College at 1 p.m. Sunday in Liberty, Mo., and MidAmerica Nazarene University 5 p.m. Tuesday at Liston Stadium.
