Women’s soccer team improves to 4-0 with 3-1 win over Saint Mary’s

Written by student assistant coach Kori Ramirez, edited by SID Geoff Henson

OLIVET, Mich. – The Olivet College women's soccer team defeated the Saint Mary's (Ind.) College Belles, 3-1, for their second game of Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association play at the Cutler Athletic Complex in Olivet.

The game opened up with the possession in the Comets favor and continued with a ball passed to sophomore Isabelle Leon who slotted it through to freshman Emma Essen for her first collegiate goal for Olivet.

The possession was back and forth throughout the first half but the Comets defensive center backs Megan Peplinski and Jeanette Fisher held the defense together to keep the Belles shots and possession in the scoring third to a minimum.

The second half the Comets had multiple looks on goal with senior Lauren Vanderhoff on the outside coming from sophomore Madeline Maxwell to open up the attack. In the 54th minute, an opportunity came Leon who had a hard shot that hit the keeper, came back and ricocheted back onto Leon and into the net to put Olivet up 2-0.

The Belles had their chance to put one away at the 83rd minute when there was a hand ball in the box which led to a penalty kick to put them on the board. Olivet did not stop its pressure with Leon finding Essen again up top to put away the final goal of the game.

Deanna Zolonoski played 90 minutes and had five saves in net for the Comets. Olivet ended the game with a total of 20 shots to nine for Saint Mary's.

The Comets are on the road at Bluffton (Ohio) University next Tuesday, Sept. 15, for their last non-conference game of the season. Game time is 4 p.m.