Golden Eagles’ women deliver shutout against Olivet Nazarene
■ Sienna Nealon scored a goal for the third straight game.
Freshman Sienna Nealon continued her goal-scoring streak by netting a goal in a third-consecutive game, and the No. 21 John Brown University women’s soccer team blanked Olivet Nazarene (Ill.) 3-0 on Saturday afternoon at Alumni Field.
Freshman Paige Kula netted her first collegiate goal and senior Hannah Poor added the third marker to put the match out of reach as the Golden Eagles (4-1-0) extended their home winning streak to 23 matches.
Nealon’s rip in the 27th minute was a result of perfect passing as junior Melody Hagen sent a ball from the left wing into junior Jastin Redman, who tipped the ball through the middle to Nealon. Nealon’s blast beat ONU keeper Jackie Poortinga just under the bar. It was the first of two assists for Redman on the afternoon.
Just six minutes later, Kula’s throw in on the left flank to Redman was returned quickly to Kula, who then bolted momentarily up the wing before heaving a 25-yard bomb to the far right post past a diving Poortinga to double the Golden Eagle lead.
JBU jumped all over the Tigers (2-3-1), out-shooting the visitors 11-3 in the first half. While the first 20 minutes of the second frame proved better for Nazarene, Poor jump-started the offense as usual with a sparkplug effort.
Nealon, in transition, beat her defender on the right wing and broke in on goal. After unleashing a shot that Poortinga impressively saved, Poor collected the rebound and directed an attempt into the empty goal, solidifying John Brown’s chances of victory in the 64th minute.
“I was really proud of the team today,” head coach Kathleen Paulsen noted. “We just finished a stretch of four games in one week and to get three wins out of good opponents is huge for us. It was a testament to our depth and the way everyone contributed.
“We are thankful for the little rest we have coming up before we hit the road again.”
Although the hosts outshot the Tigers 18-9, freshman Caitlyn Logan was called upon twice in each half to produce a save, including a save through traffic on Hannah Ondrey’s attempt in the 13th minute. Logan moves to 4-0 on the season and recorded her first career clean sheet.
Aspen Carpenter led all players with four shots. Poortinga was credited with seven saves but moved to 0-1-1 on the season.
The Golden Eagles now start a short two-match road trip, beginning in Arkadelphia on Friday against NCAA Division II Ouachita Baptist at 3 p.m. John Brown then faces Oklahoma Wesleyan in Bartlesville on Tuesday, Sept. 19, before closing out the non-conference slate with a home date against Texas A&M–Texarkana on Sept. 21.