BEAVER FALLS, Pa. – The Geneva College women's soccer team wrapped up non-conference play on Saturday afternoon on Reeves Field, holding strong defensively in a scoreless draw with Heidelberg. This was the Golden Tornadoes' fourth shutout in seven matches as Geneva heads into Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) play next week boasting a very stout defense.
The story of the season so far is how well Coach Micah Fitz has integrated several new freshmen and has quickly formed the squad into a very strong defensive bunch. The women started six freshmen on Saturday, and a big part of the defensive strength has come from a couple of freshmen in centerback Cassidy Stopchick and goalkeeper Natalie Foster. The Golden Tornadoes are hoping to see their offense come together similarly when conference play begins.
The first half was a fairly even affair as neither team could generate much offensively. Geneva's best chance came in the 34th minute when junior Abby Stover made a run down the right side and hit a curling shot over the Heidelberg keeper's hands, but the ball just skimmed off the top of the crossbar as it went just high.
Heidelberg controlled much of the play in the second half, and Foster's first big save of the game came just a minute into the half when she dove to block a shot, only to see the shot take a deflection and head towards the far side of the goal. Foster quickly kicked her foot as she dove, though, and managed to flick the ball clear of the net, despite her momentum heading the opposite direction.
Foster came up big again with 20 minutes left when she made a leaping save of a ball headed for the corner, pushing the ball just over the bar.
Geneva was unable to generate much offensively in the final half, but the defense held strong once again to pick up another quality result against a strong Heidelberg squad that defeated Geneva by two goals last year.
The women managed just three shots in the game, two on frame. Foster made six saves in net to earn her fourth shutout of the season.
The Golden Tornadoes open PAC play on Tuesday night with a home match against Washington & Jefferson 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).
