Taylor women’s soccer dominated Bethel University Saturday on Turner Field, coming away with a lopsided 7-0 victory. The Trojans’ victory was their eighth on the season.
Seven minutes and 30 seconds into the game, the scoreboard still read 0-0. A little more than three minutes later it read 3-0. The three quick goals between the 7th and 11th minute of the first half gave Taylor a commanding lead that they would never come close to relinquishing.
The run of goals came from three different players. Junior Morgan Orme scored the initial goal during the 8th minute and was quickly followed by sophomore Erin Teevans and senior Hannah Davis with goals of their own coming in the 9th and 11th minute, respectively.
Head coach Scott Stan knew the first three goals made it hard for Bethel to make adjustments.
“Bethel sees (Orme scoring the first goal) and focuses all on her. Then (Teevans) scores and they’re trying to focus on those two and then (Davis) scores,” Stan said. “I think it just became really hard for them to make adjustments about what to do.”
Teevans and Orme both emphasized the ability of everyone on the team to score and the amount of pressure that puts on any opponent.
The second half did not provide any relief for Bethel, as Taylor scored on their opening kickoff play. Sophomore Ava Hubbard knocked in the goal a mere 15 seconds into the second half.
The Trojans did not let up though, and scored three more in the second half. Orme scored her second goal of the game to push the score to 5-0. Freshman Alanna Raikes scored the sixth goal, and freshman AC Hardy wrapped up the scoring with the seventh goal of the day for the Trojans.
In addition to the seven goals, Taylor’s defense and ability to keep Bethel off the scoreboard may have been just as impressive as their relentless offense. The Trojans did not allow a single shot on goal and only gave up two shots overall.
“It was definitely a team effort. All around we were really strong,” Teevans said. “The defense and offense were equally good.”
Orme and junior goalkeeper Megan Williams were honored for their performances in the victory over Bethel and the 2-2 draw with Spring Arbor University the previous Wednesday, as Orme won Crossroads Offensive Player of the Week and Williams won Crossroads Defensive Player of the Week. Orme had two goals and two assists on the week, while Williams made nine saves against Spring Arbor and helped in holding Bethel scoreless.
“I just had the whole team sending me balls, and I was really creative (in getting myself opportunities),” Orme said.
Orme credited her team's communication and ability to give her chances to score for her successful week.
Stan mentioned Orme’s ability to play through contact and stay with plays, commending her tremendous speed and ability to blow by defenders.
Teevans, who finished the game against Bethel with two assists to go along with her goal, finds herself 11th in the NAIA in total assists. Like Orme, she credited the communication and connection of the team for her strong performance against Bethel.
Taylor finds themselves towards the top of a competitive Crossroads League with no conference losses and only one draw, which came against ranked opponent Spring Arbor. Stan feels confident in his team's ability to compete within the conference but knows they have to take it one game at a time.
“No matter where you want to be at the end, you still have to play the next game,” Stan said. “We still have to go play and get a result. A key for us is not looking ahead.”
However, if they keep up the strong performance, Taylor’s women’s soccer team knows the sky is the limit.
“If we play as a team we believe we can beat anyone,” Teevans said.
Teevans and Orme both see nationals as something the team aims to reach and they want to build each day to eventually achieve that goal and compete with the best teams in the nation.
Stan went further, saying, “Ideally we want to do well enough to host one of the first round games (at nationals).”
The Trojans followed up their victory over Bethel with a 2-1 victory over Crossroads League opponent Goshen on Wednesday night. Junior Jourdan Lehman and senior Hannah Waltz netted the two goals in the victory.
With impressive victories at this point in the season, and only a single loss that came at the hands of a ranked University of Northwestern Ohio team, the Taylor women’s soccer team finds themselves off to a hot start . They will go on the road for a tough test against ranked conference rival Grace College on Saturday before returning to Upland to face another ranked conference rival in Marian University on Wednesday.
