The Baker women’s soccer team is on a four-game winning streak, including three games won in the past week.
The ‘Cats got a win Wednesday against Lindenwood University 2-1, in overtime, and a pair of home wins last weekend as they shut out both Hannibal LaGrange College 3-0 Friday and Friends University 9-0 Sunday. This was the first conference win of the year for the ‘Cats.
Lindenwood scored the first goal of the game off a long shot that hit the crossbar, then went off Baker goalie Pam Brummit, and then into the net. Baker did not score until late in regulation, when freshman Christine Janssens tied the game. Freshman Jennifer Haynes scored the game-winning goal in overtime.
“We played well the whole game and it is great to get this result,” captain Sara Matthews said.
Janssens and the rest of the ‘Cats had no trouble scoring goals early and often against Friends University Sunday.
“We always want to start quickly,” coach Nate Houser said. “Setting the pace is important.”
Janssens scored the first goal only 1:13 into the game, the second 4:33 into the game and the third 6:07 into the game. Freshman Jennifer Sampson was next to get a goal midway through the first half to make the score 4-0. Goals by sophomore Jessica Schrock, freshman Katy McArdle and junior Ashley Isbell gave Baker a 7-0 lead at halftime.
Schrock said having an early lead is important and that they need to keep up the mentality and intensity for the whole game.
Baker did not let up in the second half, keeping the aggressiveness of the first half. Two more goals were added, the first by junior Rachel Shepard. Isbell scored her second, and the final goal of the game.
Shepard said Baker played well in the two games over the weekend, but they need to put those games behind them and continue to move forward.
For the third game in a row the ‘Cats defense shut out the opposing team.
“We are very confident in the defense,” Schrock said. “We are missing two starters right now, (Alysia) King and (Emily) Burks, and will be even stronger when they return.”
It was a back and forth battle between Baker and Hannibal LaGrange throughout most of the game with strong defensive play by both sides in the first half. Freshman Haley Oborny scored the only goal of the first half 10 minutes into the game.
“We came out positive and got things done,” Houser said. “We were just disappointed that we didn’t score more in the first half.”
The ‘Cats finally pulled away in the final 15 minutes. A goal by Matthews with 13:24 remaining gave Baker a two-goal lead. Schrock scored the final goal of the game with seven minutes remaining with an assist from sophomore Gina Schiraldi.
“Even with a 3-0 lead, the tendency is to slow down,” Shepard said. “Our young team is doing a good job of motivating each other and keeping the energy level up the entire game.”
Baker will face Culver-Stockton College at 5 p.m. Saturday at Liston Stadium and then play William Jewell College at 2 p.m. Tuesday at North Park.