It was almost as if the Baker women’s soccer team spent the entire first half toying with the emotions of the unsuspecting Bethel College Threshers last Saturday.
The ‘Cats, 2-2, who would prove to be far superior, came out of the gate playing to their opponents level as the teams were drawn at two goals apiece through halftime.
Then, as if a switch was flipped on during the break, the ‘Cats orchestrated an offensive explosion in the second half highlighted by five goals in less than 35 minutes. So what began as a satisfying afternoon for the Threshers ended in a 7-2 massacre in favor of the Wildcats.
“Honestly, I think part of it was our halftime talk,” sophomore center back Chelsea Dunn said. “(Coach) Nate (Houser) really gave it to us at halftime.”
The goals came from every which way and from several different sources as six players, including three nonstarters, were able to find the net for the ‘Cats. Sophomore midfielder Jenny Sampson threw darts at the goal registering two goals on two shots, while fellow sophomores Christine Janssens and Haley Oborny also converted their chances in the game. Freshmen Lauren Mitchell, Jessica McConnell and Ashley Ukena rounded out the scoring.
“The second half we realized we were a much better team and started taking it to them,” junior midfielder Mikayla Medlock said.
Assistant coach Blake Reynolds believed the team failed to make the Threshers play up to the ‘Cats level for most of the first half.
“The biggest improvement in the second half was our composure,” Reynolds said. “It’s not like we were creating chances, we just weren’t capitalizing early.”
The easier game came at a convenient time in the Wildcats’ schedule as the first three matches of the season have seen the team paired with schools garneringtop 30 votes. The tough opening schedule is expected to help the team in the long run, however, as the Longo rating system is still in effect in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics.
By squaring off with successful programs, the ‘Cats provide themselves with the opportunity to acquire as many points as possible, which could lead to an at-large berth to the national tournament at the end of the season.
“It will definitely help us to play these great teams early,” Dunn said. “It’s getting us ready to take it hard in the conference – where a lot of other teams haven’t faced that kind of competition. I think we have an advantage.”
The ‘Cats next test comes in the MidAmerica Nazarene University tournament in Olathe Friday. The first game is against St. Mary’s of Nebraska at 10:30 a.m., followed by Oklahoma City University Saturday at 10 a.m.