Aug. 25, 2006
Box Score
WACO, Texas -- Senior Missy McConnell's goal in the 26th minute proved to be all the Baylor soccer team would need as the Bears downed Northwestern State, 1-0, in the season opener for both schools on Friday. With the win, Baylor moves to 1-0-0 on the season while Northwestern State falls to 0-1-0 with the loss.
"Obviously, we are pleased with the result," head coach George Van Linder said. "I saw a lot of things I liked tonight. However, we had several missed opportunities to put the game out of reach. With such a young squad, I am confident we will start finishing some of those chances as the season progresses."
Baylor had the first great opportunity to score in 16th minute. On a cross from freshman Katie White, freshman Tara Lomas put a quality header on net; however, Northwestern State goalkeeper Johnna Klohoker managed to deflect the chance just over the crossbar as the game remained scoreless.
The Bears would then bust through for the only goal of the game in the 26th minute thanks to the senior connection of Anna Schuch and McConnell. Schuch gathered a loose ball 35 yards out and chipped the ball perfectly to a streaking McConnell. The senior easily beat Klohoker one-on-one as she drilled the ball into the lower-left hand corner of the net to give the Bears the 1-0 lead.
The game-winner, the first career game-winning goal for the senior, was the first goal of the season for McConnell and the sixth of her career. Schuch picked up the ninth assist of her career as she moved into a tie for 10th on Baylor's career list.
Northwestern State was unable to threaten throughout as a sturdy Baylor defense kept the Demons from threatening to tie the game the rest of the way.
The Demons managed two shots on goal; however, Baylor junior Ashley Holder made both stops as she picked up the win and the fourth shutout of her career.
Klohoker made four saves in net for the Demons and took the loss.
The win improved Baylor to 8-1-2 all-time in home openers as the Bears improved to 2-0 all-time against Northwestern State.
For the game, Baylor out-shot the Demons, 11-6, as Lomas led the Bears attack with three shots on the night.
Baylor will look to make it two wins in a row to start the season as the Bears travel to Houston, Texas, to take on Houston on Sunday, August 27, at 1:00 p.m.
