William Penn Collects First Heart Victory with 2-1 Senior Day Decision

Oskaloosa--Taylor Witthauer (Sr., Vancouver, Wash., Nursing) tallied both scores on Senior Day as the Statesmen women's soccer team defeated Mount Mercy 2-1 in Heart of America Athletic Conference play Wednesday.

WPU (4-7-1, 1-5-1 Heart) snapped its six-game non-winning streak by outshooting the Mustangs 22-7.

The hosts dominated the first half with a 17-3 edge in attempts, but had to wait until the 35th minute to finally get on the board.

Lacie Kirkle (Jr., Altoona, Iowa, Undecided) served a ball into the box and Jacque Schwager (So., Bondurant, Iowa, Psychology and Human Services) then tapped it back to Witthauer who buried it into the netting at the 34:20 mark.

The one-goal margin stood midway through the second half when an unlikely pair hooked up to double it.  Madeline Danielson (Jr., La Crescent, Minn., Exercise Science), who finished with three saves between the pipes, punted a ball away to the midfield.  It passed by several players on both teams before Ana Medina-Suazo (Jr., San Jose, Calif., Nursing) just got a piece of it, deflecting towards Witthauer.  Witthauer then tracked it down and outraced a pair of defenders before peppering a shot past the MMU goalkeeper in the 67th minute.

WPU continued to cruise into the latter moments of the game, but the Mustangs (3-7-2, 1-6 Heart) made it interesting by scoring with 3:38 left in regulation.

The Statesmen fortunately took possession after the MMU goal and never relinquished it, draining the final ticks off the clock and preserving the victory.

Witthauer, who now leads William Penn with 11 goals, headed Wednesday's offensive effort with nine shots (five on goal).  Georgia Murphy (Sr., Liverpool, England, Wellness and Recreation) was next with four attempts, while Schwager and Lilly Coty (So., Sioux City, Iowa, Psychology) tacked on three apiece.

"We are extremely happy to get this home win on Senior Day," Head Coach Andy Commins said.  "Hopefully this will create some momentum moving forward and we can qualify for postseason play."

Next Up: William Penn travels to Marshall, Mo. Saturday to face Missouri Valley in Heart action at 6 p.m.