By Andrew Snyder
Athletic Marketing Coordinator

GOSHEN, Ind. — The Huntington University women's soccer program claimed a 2-0 victory over Goshen College on Saturday afternoon in Goshen in each team's Crossroads League opener.

Goshen (3-5-1) put up a majority of the offense in the opening 10 minutes, including a corner kick in the third minute and a shot by Bella Larsen in the seventh. The Foresters (5-4-1) got one of their better goal-scoring opportunities soon after when corner kick bounced across the six-yard box before being cleared from the far post by Larsen. An errant drop pass gave Huntington another dangerous opportunity at goal, but Goshen goalkeeper Katie Baer charged off her line in time to make a sliding tackle just outside the box to keep the game scoreless.

Goshen's best chance less than 10 minutes before halftime when Mara Beck received a through ball on the left side of the penalty area, only to see swift recovery defense knock the ball clear. Entering the halftime break the scoreboard read 0-0, with Huntington outshooting Goshen 12-3. Each team took two corner kicks and committed a foul apiece.

In the 52nd minute, Huntington forward Matéa Knispel ripped a shot to the left post from 25 yards out: the ball's spin caused it to curve back to the right after the Maple Leaf defense had committed left and put the away team up 1-0.

That lead held for most of the second half, including through an unexpected six-minute stoppage after an official's contact lens popped out in the 68th minute. Goshen's best chance at leveling the score had come about eight minutes earlier on a give-and-go combo between forwards Taliah Borom and Allison Ebersole, but the final through pass was negated by an offside flag from one of the other two officials.

In the 89th minute a corner kick from Elkhart County native Madison Kidder (a product of Northridge High School) found Brandi Spear for a volley into goal as the Foresters doubled their lead.

Huntington finished with a 23-4 shot advantage and took six corners to Goshen's four. Freshman goalkeeper Katie Baer made eight saves for the Maple Leafs, while Forester goalie Paige Coolman was not tested by a save. Goshen returns to action on Wednesday evening, hosting Bethel at 7 p.m