MARION, Ind. - No. 11 Indiana Wesleyan Women's Soccer took on Saint Xavier (Ill.) on Saturday afternoon, winning by a score of 4-0 behind a trio of goals from senior Alyssa Hamann. The Wildcats held possession for the majority of the game, taking an early lead and never looking back. They dominated defensively the entire match, not allowing the Cougars to register a single shot, a feat last done by IWU in 2022. Syndey Couch kicked things off in the 4th minute, scoring for the second straight game. Alyssa Hamann would then provide the next three goals for the Wildcats in the 18th, 28th, and 52nd minutes. IWU will stay at home for their next match against No. 20 University of Science and Arts (Okla.) on August 27.
The Wildcats took control from the opening kick by forcing pressure on the SXU defense and getting to seemingly every loose ball. That pressure resulted in a goal in the 4th minute by Sydney Couch unassisted. Unrelenting, IWU pressed and found themselves with a penalty kick opportunity in the 18th minute. Alyssa Hamann took that opportunity to score her first goal of the season. After ten more minutes of game time, Hamann struck again assisted by Katelyn VanderArk to give the Wildcats a 3-0 lead. After the half, a Sam Anderson corner kick around the 52nd minute of play found Hamann once more who got another past the Saint Xavier goalkeeper for the final goal of the match.
THE ESSENTIALS
- Location: Marion, Indiana | IWU Soccer Field
- Records: IWU: 2-0-0 (0-0-0) | SXU: 1-1-0 (0-0-0)
- NAIA Top-25 Poll: IWU - #11 | SXU – Unranked
WHAT HAPPENED
- Sydney Couch scored her second goal in as many games to put IWU up 1-0 in the 4th minute.
- In the 18th minute, Senior Alyssa Hamann scored on a penalty kick for her first goal of the young season.
- Hamann found the back of the net again later in the first half, this time assisted by Katelyn VanderArk.
- Sam Anderson assisted a goal in the second straight game as she fired a corner kick into the box where Hamann scored once more in the 52nd minute.
- The Wildcat defense was impenetrable as they did not allow a single shot in the match for the first time since 2022.
NOTABLE NUMBERS
- 0: Goalkeeper Avery Sluss did not have much to do as the defensive line in front of her did not let the Cougars record a shot in the match.
- 2: Sydney Couch has 2 goals and Sam Anderson has 2 assists in 2 games this year.
- 3: Alyssa Hamann scored 3 goals today to boost her career count to 8.
HAMANN PERSPECTIVE
- "Today's game was a great one for us," said senior Alyssa Hamann. "It was a total team win! I am so encouraged by where the team is at right now, only official two games in. This group is really special, and I can't wait to see what all the Lord has in store for us!"
LOOKING FORWARD
- IWU welcomes the University of Science and Arts Oklahoma next Thursday, the 27th at 6:00 PM.
- Links for stats, video, and tickets are available at IWUWildcats.com.
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