BEAVER FALLS, Pa. – It's been a long wait for junior Olivia Anson, who missed her first two seasons on the Geneva College women's soccer team due to injuries. She didn't take long to break into the scoring column on Friday night in her collegiate debut, though, scoring the eventual game-winner just eight minutes into the season-opening game with SUNY Delhi, and the Golden Tornadoes earned a 2-0 victory to start the season off with a win.
It's been a challenging two seasons for Anson, yet she was rewarded on Friday for her perseverance. She was in the right place at the right time in the eighth minute. Freshman Noelle Beare sent a beautiful shot towards net from 45 yards away off a free kick. Delhi's keeper Vanessa Sanchez had to leap to keep the ball from dipping just under the bar, but the deflection bounced right to Anson who headed the ball into the net from just two yards away.
The game settled down for the remainder of the half. Geneva couldn't find the net, but the Golden Tornado defense, led by central defenders Addie Tallman and Emily Garvin, never allowed the Broncos any good chances. SUNY Delhi managed three shots on goal in the half, all from long range, which allowed junior goalkeeper Jade Farnsworth the opportunity to make the saves.
Freshman Abby Stover almost doubled the lead five minutes into the second half when she was put in on goal, but a heavy touch as she entered the box prevented her from getting a clean shot off.
The Golden Tornadoes put the game away with just over six minutes remaining, though. This goal came courtesy of senior Katie Bodenmiller, who was also making her return to the team after missing all of last season due to an injury suffered in the preseason. Bodenmiller, who led the team in goals scored in 2021, was the beneficiary of an errant pass by Delhi's Sanchez out of her box. Bodenmiller intercepted the pass and dribbled the ball in on goal, slotting a shot past Sanchez to clinch the win.
Geneva finished the game with a 10-5 advantage in shots, including a 7-4 edge in shots on goal. Farnsworth made four saves to earn the shutout.
It will be a short turnaround for the women, who return right back into action tomorrow afternoon with a 2:30 p.m. match against Penn College on Reeves Field.
Through purposeful learning in a community reflecting the full spectrum of God's kingdom, a Geneva College experience inspires students to discover a faith-life calling in service to God and neighbor. Offering 195+ traditional undergraduate majors and programs, fully online Adult Degree Programs and high-demand graduate degrees, Geneva's programs are recognized for their high quality and affordability. Geneva was founded and is governed by the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America (RPCNA) and is a founding member of both the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU) and the International Association for Christian Education (IACE).
