SAINT MARY OF THE WOODS, Ind. - The SMWC soccer team hosted the Golden Bears of West Virginia University Institute of Technology today in a USCAA matchup. Both teams' first goalkeepers were injured, so both played with backups. It was not a particularly beautiful game, but the Pomeroys struck first and came out on top 4-1 by the final whistle.

The Golden Bears showed some physicality and willingness to win balls. That led to some chances where their fairly direct play found forward Creshana Jones and made the game hard on the Pomeroys. Star defender Dulce Chavez was injured early in a collision in the Pomeroy defending third and had to leave the match. As the half wore on, though, the Pomeroys began to pick themselves up and possess the ball more, with surer buildups into the attacking third. In the 22nd minute, the game was finally cracked open by Amanda Loebker with an assist from Jordan Bray.  The half ended 1-0 in favor of the Pomeroys.

SMWC took a larger possession advantage in the second half. In the 60th minute, they earned a corner, and Amanda Loebker scored her second of the contest on a header from Samantha Morrison's serve. However, the visitors were able to strike back on a free kick from Alyssa Capon that was driven to the far top corner to bring them close at 2-1. The rest of the scoring went to The Woods. In the 70th minute, Amanda Loebker's free kick was tipped by the Golden Bear keeper into the crossbar and Samantha Morrison swept in to knock the rebound home for a 3-1 lead. Finally, in the 87th minute, Julie Debish cracked an outstanding left-footed drive from outside the box on a pass from Hannah Whittington to seal the victory at 4-1.  Debish's goal is her first of the season. Whittington earned her first collegiate point with her assist.   

The Pomeroys are now 4-3-1 and face Oakland City University on Tuesday in Oakland City, Ind. Game time is set for a 4 p.m. start.