HOWELL, Mich. -- It was a slow start on Friday for the Indiana Wesleyan University women’s soccer team but a resounding second half highlighted the 5-0 victory over host Cleary (Mich.) at the Cleary Invite in Howell, Michigan.

Paige LaBonne scored her first collegiate goal in the 28th minute to account for the only score in the first half. LaBonne collected a rebound off a shot from Brittany Tucker on the right side of the box and beat the keeper to the upper left for the 1-0 lead.

“It’s the second game in a row we did not come out to play very well in the first half,” said Indiana Wesleyan head coach Dr. John Bratcher. “It started with a slow warm-up that wasn’t very enthusiastic.”

The point was taken as the Wildcats struck early in the second half and did not let up. By the time the match came to a close it was 5-0.

“The second half we made some adjustments to our formation and we played much better,” continued Bratcher. “We responded and played the way we practice. We need some leadership to step up and push this team because we have a very young team with a lot of sophomores and freshmen starting.”

LaBonne notched her second goal in the 50th minute to quickly set the tone of the half. Katie Pannabecker put her fourth of the season into the net in the 61st minute and Annette Somercik would complete the goal barrage with tallies in the 69th and 81st minutes.

Kelsey Powell was credited with the shutout in net for the Wildcats. She made five saves with each of them coming in the first half. Indiana Wesleyan held distinct advantages in shot by a 29-7 margin in addition to a 14-5 advantage in shots on goal.

Indiana Wesleyan (2-0-1) will complete the invite tomorrow at 3 p.m. with a contest against Marygrove (Mich.).