Women's Soccer continued its strong start to the 2023 season on Monday night.
The Ravens topped the Southwestern College Moundbuilders, 5-1, to remain unbeaten through the first three contests of the season.
The Ravens stayed on the front foot for the majority of the first half but had little to show for it through the first 40 minutes. However, Riley Degner beat her defender and unleashed a curling shot into the left side of goal to put the Ravens up 1-0 with just over 4 minutes to play before halftime.
Moments later, Faith Lewis was shoved to the ground resulting in a free kick for the Ravens. Lewis took the free kick, placing a great ball into the box that found Jenna Wilken who was able to head it into the right side of the net, scoring her first career goal. The header put the Ravens up 2-0 with just 5 seconds before half.
Mackenzie Korzenecki didn't face much pressure in the first half, but saved both shots Southwestern sent on goal.
The Ravens lead nearly extended to 3-0 early in the second half but Christine Znidarsic's shot deflected off the cross bar. Two minutes later, the Moundbuilders capitalized on a misplayed ball deep in the Ravens end to cut the lead to 2-1.
Znidarsic made an impact with 26 minutes to play, though. She sent a great pass wide to Degner, who calmly slipped it past the charging Moundbuilders keeper for her second goal of the night to give the Ravens a 3-1 lead.
The Ravens added a pair of insurance goals late in the game and Wilken assisted on both. In the 79th minute, Wilken passed to Sam Mausbach for a goal, and then in the 83rd minute Wilken calmly slipped a pass away from the charging Southwestern keeper to find Payton Vogelbacher who scored her first career goal.
With the 4-goal lead, the Ravens were able to empty their bench and finish the contest with every starter on the bench – a good result as the team plays again in two days.
The Ravens (2-0-1) will host Doane University at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 30 back on Legacy Field.
