The Baker University women’s soccer team is ranked fourth in HAAC after defeating Lindenwood University 2-0 Saturday at Liston Stadium.
The first goal came in the first half by junior Ashley Ukena after 20 minutes of play. Junior Jordan Dolbin, Baker Orange staff member, scored the second goal with about seven minutes left in the first half.
The match was the first win for the Wildcats since a loss to Benedictine College and ties against Park University and Missouri Valley College.
Before the win Saturday over Lindenwood, Baker’s last victory came against MidAmerica Nazarene University Oct. 5.
“We were a lot more disciplined in the decisions we made,” head coach Nate Houser said. “The frustration of our recent results has helped the girls to do what we want them to.”
In previous matches, the Wildcats have not picked up the pace until the end of the match, however, the team quickly scored against Lindenwood and held the lead throughout the game.
“We definitely were really pumped up and finished our shots and played defensively all around,” senior Chelsea Dunn said.
Baker’s improvement in communicating during the match played a large part in the outcome.
“Everybody talked a lot and communication was a big factor in the game,” Dunn said.
Junior Jessica Shiney said the chemistry on the team has been something the team is lucky to have. The women have worked well this season as a team and have done a good job of reading each other and knowing how their teammates’ play.
“It was a really fun game to play because we played well together,” Shiney said.
The Wildcats have two games of regular season play remaining before the postseason conference tournament begins.
The team is set to play Culver-Stockton College at 1 p.m. Saturday in Canton, Mo. Culver-Stockton is still in search of its first win, but it has tied both Benedictine and Lindenwood in conference play.
“They’re kind of an unpredictable team right now,” Shiney said.
Houser is hoping the ties and losses of the season will help the women to learn from their mistakes and be a strong contender in postseason play.
“Hopefully we can apply all of the lessons we’ve learned for the playoffs,” Houser said.
Dunn believes the team should be able to push its limits during playoffs and get excellent results.
“Everybody plays a really strong role in their own, different way,” Dunn said. “Everybody brings something new to the table.”
