Elizabeth Pierce’s late-game heroics send Women’s Soccer over Baldwin Wallace

By Wes Mayberry

ADA — Playing in a light rain Wednesday night, the Ohio Northern women's soccer team appeared destined to go to overtime in a scoreless draw with Baldwin Wallace at Kerscher Stadium. But freshman Elizabeth Pierce (Liberty Township/Mount Notre Dame) had other ideas.

With just 1:32 remaining, Pierce got a shot past Baldwin Wallace goalkeeper Katie Scott for the game-winning score on an assist from sophomore Alaina Casey (Beavercreek/Carroll).

The win was the Polar Bears' second straight 1-0 conference victory, as they improved to 6-3-2 overall and 2-0-0 in the Ohio Athletic Conference while dropping the Yellow Jackets to 5-7-0, 0-2-0.

A mostly rain-free first half saw ONU out-shoot BWU by a 4-0 margin.

The Polar Bears picked up their aggressiveness in the rainy second half, however, out-shooting Baldwin Wallace by a 12-3 margin.

That aggressiveness eventually paid off in the form of Pierce's goal.

Freshman Emma Bowman (Novi, Mich./Northville) attempted a game-high four shots for ONU to go with three each from Pierce and freshman Alexa Clampitt (Sterling Heights, Mich./Utica).

Senior Kristy Catrine made two saves in the game in securing her seventh shutout of the season and 15th of her career.

Freshman Ella Barth attempted two of Baldwin Wallace's three shots in the game, and Scott tallied five saves for the Yellow Jackets.

ONU finished the game with a 16-3 edge in shot attempts and 7-1 advantage in corner kicks.

The Polar Bears will return to the field on Saturday when they host Muskingum for a 1 p.m. game at Kerscher Stadium.