Box Score
Columbus – The No. 22 ranked Capital University women's soccer team returned home on Saturday afternoon in hopes of keeping their six match unbeaten streak alive.
Capital came into the match fresh off a late game goal that sealed a 1-0 victory over Wittenberg on Sept. 18, while their opponent, Hanover College (Ind.), entered the match off a scoreless draw to Thomas More.
"When you have two teams like today that have the records we did and have shown some quality," said head coach Chris Kouns. "Games then come down to, do your go-to players play and do they show up."
As the first half unfolded, the Crusaders saw a few early opportunities to get on the board first, as sophomore Mariah Richards and senior Hilary Ells were able to attack their opposition with a pair of shots on goal.
However, both shots sliced high as early chances to score were thwarted by mere inches above the goalpost.
Late in the 23rd minute, the Panthers inked the scoreboard off a deflected shot that was rebounded and tapped into the low corner of the net, taking a 1-0 lead.
From that point forward, the Crusaders would manage to tally a pair of corner kicks, to go along with a blocked shot coming off the foot of senior Holly Phillips, while sophomore Jamie Murray attempted a header shortly after, but to no avail.
As the second half of play began, the Crusaders managed to obtain a few opportunities on set pieces to net the ball, but the Panthers defense held up in front of stellar goalkeeping.
Perhaps the best opportunities that Capital had to score in the second half was on two set pieces following fouls by Hanover, in which freshman Claire Quinn struck two shots just high.
Hanover then added to their one goal advantage by netting a shot in the 81st minute, extending the
Panthers lead for good, 2-0.
"I certainly want to congratulate Hanover," Kouns said. "I thought they did a terrific job of outfighting us, and it was just disappointing in the manner that we lost this game."
Kouns noted that Richards and senior Corey McClellan showed the type of "consistency and effort throughout the game that the team needs going forward."
Murray and Quinn led the Crusaders attack in the match, recording three shots apiece.
"Unfortunately for us, not only did our go-to players not show up," Kouns said. "But a lot of players did not show up."
Kouns also pointed out that despite the loss on home turf, this match can now serve as a positive lesson for the Crusaders to build on as the season progresses.
"This is a great lesson moving forward that you will get everyone's best shot," Kouns said. "We just need to be prepared to take them every week."
With the loss, the Crusaders end their impressive six match unbeaten streak, while surrendering just their second loss of the season.
"We've talked as a team all season long that there is no win or loss that is too big," Kouns said. "It's not the first time we've lost all year, so we will have to just take a look at the film and sort it out."
Capital (5-2-1) is set to host Mount St. Joseph in their next match on Sept. 27 at 5 p.m.
