MOUNT VERNON, Ohio - Women's soccer kicked off their Crossroads League campaign as they took on the Mount Vernon Nazarene University Cougars on the road, where they lost 4-0.
The Maple Leafs got off to the brighter start, with Eliana Lang testing the Cougars goalkeeper within the first minute. The Leafs would have the first three shots of the game, another coming through Lang and Jem Potter. These were Goshen's only shots of the half.
The Cougars hit the front within 20 minutes, when Alex Erslan found Aubrey Keuffer in space, who slotted home the goal. The Cougars would take 11 more shots but couldn't find a way past Hailey Ballast again.
The second half started with the Cougars setting the tone as Becca Drew hit the crossbar in the 48th minute. Goshen would get their first shot on goal through Natalie Boulier. Ten minutes later, Sophia Yoder then had two shots blocked within 5 seconds of each other.
The only disciplinary action of the game came in the 63rd minute when the referee brandished a yellow card to Alea Marx.
The Cougars finally got their second half breakthrough in the 72nd minute as Emmie Hoffman found Keuffer again, who found the back of the net for the second time on the night.
Six minutes later, the Cougars scored their third, as Chelsea Simpson found the back of the net.
The Cougars put the game to bed in the 80th minute as Simpson found Keuffer, who completed her hat trick and secured the victory for the hosts.
Goshen got their last shot of the game five minutes from time through Laura Castro. At the full time whistle, the Cougars took home a decisive victory.
The Maple Leafs are back in action on Saturday, Sep. 23 as they take on the Marian University Knights at home at 2 p.m.
