Curtis Meyer reporter
Pitt State’s first ever women’s soccer season has seen its fair share of ups and downs this season but are in a good position after a 3-0 win over the Newman Jets this past weekend. With only five games left in the season, Pitt State sits at 6-5-2, within striking distance of the MIAA tournament in less than a month.
“I think we came out flat in the first ten minutes, then I think we settled in. We made a personnel change and that personnel change kind of jumpstarted our team. We were playing flustered against Newman; they had a high press early,” said head coach, Wes Branstetter.
While they may have started somewhat poorly, the Gorillas got back into the game quickly after their slow start. Scoring two goals just 65 seconds apart, graduate student, Jadyn Newell, put the Gorillas on the board first, taking a pass from sophomore, Avianna Gonzalez, and knocking it in the goal.
“It’s important, you know, getting through those moments. We’ve had those moments where we get flustered or a team pressures us and we give the ball away, and we’ve conceded goals. Now, you’re playing from behind. This game, it felt like we weathered the storm, then we responded, then obviously a couple goals in the first half and really took control of the game,” said coach Branstetter.
Sophomore Dallie Hill took a penalty right afterwards, setting up a penalty shot which she slammed home to give the Gorillas the 2-0 lead with her first goal of the season. The Gorillas took that 2-0 lead into halftime, controlling the game on both ends.
“Yes, we scored two goals in the 27th minute, but really, even before that we started creating chances, the ball started getting dominated on our attacking half. The game really shifted, and obviously the goals were kind of rewards for getting those,” said coach Branstetter.
Graduate student, Hanna Carlisle, scored her first goal of the year, assisted by sophomore, Ryann Caruth, in the 57th minute to essentially put the game out of reach for the Jets. Freshman goalkeeper, Jocelyn Kramar, stopped all five shots on goal for Pitt State, playing all 90 minutes and recording a shutout.
Pitt State had eight shots on goal, 21 shots total, in what was their fourth shutout in six wins so far this season. The Jets are winless on the season, going 0-12-1 to date. The Gorillas won’t have time to rest on their laurels, as they must prepare to face the #20 ranked Missouri Western Griffons on the road to start off this weekend.
“We’re only focused on Missouri Western, but as a head coach, you’re always looking at everything to see the pieces fall to make it into the MIAA tournament. They are massive and we have to try to find some wins,” said coach Branstetter.
This is followed by a trip to Northwest Missouri, before the Gorillas will close out the regular season with three straight home games as they attempt to place in the top eight of MIAA teams to make the MIAA annual tournament.