BEXLEY – The Wilmington College women's soccer team continues its stout defensive efforts handing Otterbein its first Ohio Athletic Conference loss of the season, 2-0. It was the 10th shutout of the season for the Lady Quakers.
After putting themselves in a hole by losing three straight OAC games, Wilmington has rattled off two huge victories. But, don't expect WC to look ahead.
"We are not resting on what we did today," said head coach Steve Spirk. "We still have three games to play, and we are taking it one game at a time right now. I just say this team is playing hard, playing as a team and believing in each other."
With three games remaining, Wilmington is currently sixth in the OAC and only the top six teams make the tournament. The Fightin' Quakers travel to Marietta 1 p.m. Saturday before hosting Ohio Northern in a pivotal match 7 p.m. Tuesday.
Wilmington took the lead in the 39th minute as junior Sammy Koerner (Fairfield, OH/Hamilton Badin) took advantage of a nice serve of a corner kick by junior Rachel Gutowski (Petoskey, MI/Petosky).
"Great goal by Sammy on the corner kick," said Spirk. "Getting ahead is big. I think that was the key for us that we scored first."
The score remained a one-goal advantage until freshman Rachelle Bowen (Xenia, OH/Xenia) took advantage of an Otterbein mistake. The Cardinals struggled to clear a ball played by freshman Erika Good (Miamisburg, OH/Miamisburg) and Bowen beat the keeper from 30 yards away in the 67th minute.
Freshman Sarah Stauffer (Beavercreek, OH/Beavercreek) posted her sixth shutout of the season, making two saves in improving to 5-3-1 on the season.
