Bethany Women’s Soccer Uses Strong Second Half to Defeat Mount Aloysius

Sept. 9 – BETHANY, W.Va. – The Bethany women's soccer team defeated Mount Aloysius 5-4 on Wednesday night at Hoag Field. The Bison scored four goals in the second half in their first home contest to preserve the victory.

The Bison (2-1) found themselves with a small deficit after Olivia Woodley scored in the 14^th minute to give the Mounties a 1-0 lead.

Bethany continued to match the physical play of Mount Aloysius and was able to get on the scoreboard after a Brittany Fullbright (Wadsworth, Ohio/Wadsworth) penalty kick in the 34^th minute to make it 1-1.

However, the Mounties took the lead back just two minutes later when Amanda Brancato found the back of the net. The score would remain 2-1 in favor of Mount Aloysius at the intermission.

The second half saw the Bison come out with a purpose as Fullbright stepped up to finish another penalty kick in the 56^th minute. The junior then gave her team a 3-2 lead with her third goal of the game in the 60^th minute.

Bethany continued to put the pressure on the Mountie's defense, and in the 72^nd minute, junior Marena Cline (Follansbee, W. Va./Brooke) notched her first goal of the season on a cross from Madison Cochran (Grafton, W. Va./Grafton) to make it a 4-2 game.

Woodley was able to bring Mount Aloysius within a goal after finishing off a pass from teammate Kristin James. Woodley had two goals in the game and finished with 15 shots.

The Bison wouldn't let the Mounties any closer as junior Julie Slezak (Latrobe, Pa./Greater Latrobe) took a touch pass from Michaela Hinerman (Weirton, W. Va./Brooke) and gave Bethany a two-goal cushion in the 83^rd minute. The Green & White were able to hold off multiple attacks in the closing minutes, and held on for a 5-4 victory.

Offensively, Cochran had three shots and Hinerman notched two shots on goal. Fullbright had her first-career hat trick on five total shots. 

Sophomore goalkeeper Taylor Sasak (Berea, Ohio/Berea) played all 90 minutes at net, registering 14 saves on 27 total shots from the Mounties.

The women will look to continue their winning ways on Saturday, September 12 when they travel to take on Defiance College at 2:00 p.m.