GOSHEN, Ind. - Women's soccer welcomed the Bethel Pilots to the Goshen College Soccer Complex for their U.S. Highway 20 Cup action of the season, where the Maple Leafs lost 1-0.
The game started slow, with neither team recording a shot until the 11th minute, when Thalyta Martins tested Hailey Ballast for the first time. The Pilots outshot Goshen 4-1 in the first 20 minutes. The sole Maple Leaf shot in that time came from Laura Castro.
The Pilots continued to pepper the Maple Leaf goal, with Ballast being equal to all of them. As the half went on, the Leafs began to find openings in the Bethel defense, as Johannah McDonald, Jessica Brito, Sophia Yoder and Eliana Lang all tested the Pilots keeper. Neither team could break the deadlock, and went into the break tied 0-0.
The second half saw Bethel start the stronger of the two sides, pinning Goshen back in their own half and outshooting the Leafs 10-0 before the 70 minute mark. The Pilots finally got their breakthrough in the 72nd minute, as Ashley Cruz Lopez found an opening between the Maple Leaf lines and took a powerful shot from about 25 yards out that looped over Ballast and into the top corner of the Goshen net.
Goshen went in search of an equalizer and created some chances as Jem Potter, Lang, May Boudreau and Yoder made attempts, but the Pilots held firm and secured the victory on a scoreline of 1-0.
The game also marked senior day, where the class of 2027 were celebrated before the game. This year, four players were celebrated — Jessica Brito, Alea Marx, Sophia Yoder and Natalie Boulier. Here is what was said about the players before the game:
We start by recognizing #4, Jessica Brito! Jess is being escorted by her parents, Hugo and Donna Brito, and her sister Alyssa. She is a business major and hopes to use her degree after graduation to start a career that she is passionate about and work towards earning her real estate license. Her favorite memory from her time on the team was the Arizona preseason trip her sophomore year, where they got to visit the grand canyon. Thank you, Jess!
Next we have #22, Alea Marx! Alea is being escorted by her parents Stefanie and Mario Marx. She is an exercise science major, and after graduation she plans to move home to Germany and pursue her master's degree. She hopes to continue to stay active with soccer and running, and hopes to eventually study abroad elsewhere in Europe while continuing to travel around the world. Her favorite memory from her time on the team was also the trip to Arizona her sophomore year, where she enjoyed traveling with the team, facing new teams, and getting to visit the Grand Canyon. Thank you, Alea!
Next up is #24, Sophia Yoder! Sophia is being escorted by her parents, Jon and Sue, and her boyfriend Josiah. She is a film production and art double major and plans to work in the film industry, and eventually get her MFA in film while continuing to keep playing soccer on the side. Her favorite memory from her time on the team was every time she looked into the stands and got to see her family and friends cheering the team on. Thank you, Sophia!
Next for the Maple Leafs is #25, Natalie Boulier! Natalie is being escorted by her parents, Lori and Mike Boulier and her boyfriend Adrian. She is an exercise science major and after graduation she plans to take a gap year and work in a hospital before going on to pursue a graduate degree in physical therapy. Her favorite memory from her time on the team came recently, when she scored the goal gain a tie against now #10 ranked Taylor! Thank you, Natalie!
Seniors - we wish nothing but the best for you in your future endeavors and thank you again for your contributions to the Goshen College women's soccer program. As you go out into the world, live FULL lives of faith, unity, learning and leadership. Fans, let's hear it one last time for our women's soccer seniors!
