GOSHEN, Ind. – Just one night after a season-opening win over Manchester College, the Goshen College women’s soccer team was back at it Wednesday night against Mennonite sister school Bluffton University.

For the second-straight night, the Maple Leafs controlled a large chunk of possession and had multiple scoring chances.  Unfortunately, that does not allows equal goals and a win.  On this night, the Beavers took advantage of their limited opportunities and rode them to a 2-1 win over Goshen.

“It was an unbelievable loss,” head coach Thavisith Mounsithiraj commiserated.  “Fatigue from the night before definitely contributed to our poor play this afternoon, but Coach Smucker’s side played a good and solid direct game tonight.”

Both of Bluffton’s goals came in a three-minute stretch late in the first half.  The Beavers’s first tally came in the 40th minute as Meghan Forquer deflected in a corner kick.  Shortly after, Forquer was at it again.  This time she struck from distance as a 35-yard rocket ended up in the top corner for the 2-0 lead.

“We had numerous quality looks at the goal, but just failed to capitalize on those chance,” Mounsithiraj explained.  “We started out the match very flat and never quite seemed to develop any kind of consistency we had hoped for.”

Midway through the second half, freshman [BTSC Aluma] Kristina Lopienski scored the first goal of her collegiate career by finishing to the near post off an assist from classmate Brianne Mault – her second assist in two days.

It was not enough, however, as the Beavers held on for the 2-1 win.  The Leafs did out shoot Bluffton 8-6, did were only able to finish the one goal.

“For the second match in as many days, Mar Swartzentruber continued to play solidly in the back and has yet to have any lapses in her play,” added Mounsithiraj.  “We’ll rest up tomorrow and move on to our next match.”

That next match comes on Friday when the Maple Leafs host Malone University.  They will be without starting junior forward Yaneth Springer, who suffered an ankle injury in the second half Wednesday.  Goshen is also playing shorthanded due to injuries to Trish Herschberger, Kat Luginbuhl and Chloe Vanderwell.

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