BEAVER FALLS, Pa. – The Geneva College women's soccer team had a second straight victory within their grasps on a warm and muggy Saturday afternoon against Penn College on Reeves Field, but the Wildcats scored late to escape with a 1-1 draw against the Golden Tornadoes in a match that Geneva controlled for much of the game. Geneva's record now stands a 1-0-1.
The women had a very quick turnaround for their match on Saturday afternoon after their 2-0 win over SUNY Delhi wrapped up at almost 10:30 p.m. on Friday night. Despite the short night, Geneva was the better team early, putting several shots on goal. It wasn't until midway through the first half, after Head Coach Gary Dunda had subbed out most of his starting lineup to allow the tired legs to get some extra rest, that the play leveled out some between the two teams. The first half finished scoreless, with Penn unable to register a shot in the first half compared to six for the Golden Tornadoes.
Penn's best stretch came in the first few minutes of the second half, with the Wildcats controlling the play, and it was only a diving save from junior goalkeeper Jade Farnsworth that kept Penn off the board four minutes into the half.
Geneva began to get the better of play shortly after Farnsworth's save, though, controlling most of the possession while Penn seemed content to wait for a counterattack chance. The Golden Tornadoes finally broke through in the 68th minute when junior Julia Robertson hit a bouncing shot from just outside the box that bounced over Penn's diving keeper, putting Geneva in the driver's seat.
The Golden Tornadoes appeared to be in full control, looking for a second goal to try to put the game away, but with just over five minutes remaining, Penn took advantage of one of the few counter chances it had to even the game up. The Wildcats sent a long pass just over the top of the Geneva defense that Penn's Kaelynn Sheetz ran onto, and she slotted a ball past an oncoming Farnsworth to pull Penn level.
Geneva's best chance to pull out a win came with just over 30 seconds remaining. Junior Emma Daku-Treas was fouled just outside the box, setting the Golden Tornadoes up with a dangerous free kick opportunity as the final seconds wound down. Unfortunately, junior Saige Musser's attempt at a late game-winner sailed over the bar.
The stats bore out the advantage Geneva had throughout the game. The Golden Tornadoes outshot Penn 20-4, including an 8-2 edge in shots on goal.
Geneva gets a much-needed break for a few days after playing twice in about a 16-hour stretch. The women wrap up their season-opening three-game homestand on Wednesday when the Golden Tornadoes host Houghton at 7:00 p.m. 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).
