McKENZIE, Tenn. -- The No. 18 John Brown University women's soccer team racked up 21 shot opportunities, but could only manage less than half on goal as Bethel (Tenn.) upended the Golden Eagles by a 2-1 final on Saturday (Sept. 2) afternoon at Wildcat Stadium.
The Wildcats (3-0-0), meanwhile, managed just three shots on goal the entire contest, scoring on two of its chances. While freshman Caitlyn Logan made her first career start in goal, giving up one, senior Hannah Poor (0-1-0) took the loss on BU's goal in the 59th minute as the keepers split halves for the second match in a row.
The JBU passing and ball control proved erratic most of the contest due to the turf. Despite the surface, the Golden Eagles held possession for nearly the entire match.
"While that was definitely not the result we were looking for, it is an opportunity to learn and move forward," head coach Kathleen Paulsen admitted. "We will prepare for a good opponent in our next match."
Junior Aspen Robinson posted a match-high seven shots, two on goal, but was unable to deliver in the waning seconds when a cross into the box found her unguarded, but her shot sailed just a few feet over the crossbar with no one upfield but the keeper just seven yards away.
BU's Brittany Bray scored her first of the season and the match's game-winner when she netted her 23-yard free kick from the left side of the box. The ball bent in, beating Poor to the short side in the 59th minute.
Junior Jastin Redman matched Bray's tally with one of her own, her second of the season, when her 22-yard free kick from the right flank split the Wildcats' lead in half in the 67th minute of play.
The Golden Eagles (1-1-0) attempted seven more shots at the BU goal, but was unable to find the equalizer before time expired.
Maggie Swift buried her first of the season at the six-minute mark after Bray's point-blank attempt was rejected by Logan high in the box. After pinballing momentarily, Swift launched a shot to the right side of the goal while Logan was attempting to regain her position.
Danielle Krzyzaniak (3-0-0) boasted a nine-save effort to remain undefeated on the season.
The Golden Eagles will attempt to regroup and finish off the road trip with a win when they take on No. 16 Cumberland (Tenn.) on Monday (Sept. 4) at 10 a.m.
