Women’s soccer: Super subs lead UVU to win over Oral Roberts

Photo by Byron Harward

Ashlyn Farnes scored in the first half, and Libby Weber had the game-winning goal in the second half as the UVU women’s soccer team defeated Oral Roberts Sunday by the score of 2-1.

Farnes came on as a sub in the 24th minute and wasted no time making her mark as she received the ball outside the penalty area, proceded to beat her defender and slotted the ball past the Golden Eagle’s keeper, Ryliegh Bohnenstiehl, for the match’s opening goal. The goal was Farnes’ first on the season.

The Wolverines were active on the attacking side of the field during the first half, having 11 shots and forcing Bohnenstiehl to make four saves. In the opening half, Breanna DeWaal led UVU with five shots, three of which were on goal. Dorianna Moul repeatedly made runs down the right wing, and UVU found the space in the middle of the Golden Eagle’s defense on multiple occasions, creating chances in the attacking third. Entering the halftime break, UVU had 78 percent possession.

Coming out of the break, the Golden Eagles enjoyed possession of the ball more in the first 15 minutes of the second half. In the 60th minute, Jordan Langebartels leveled the score as she found space on the left side of the penalty box and beat Wolverine’s keeper Brooklyn Nielsen. Not even a minute later, Weber put UVU right back in front with a goal from outside the box. The Golden Eagles had made a keeper change, brining on Paige Vincent for Bohnenstiehl, but Vincent could do nothing but pick the ball out of her goal from Weber’s shot. As did Farnes, Weber came on as a substitute to find her first goal of the season.

Overall, UVU outshot the Golden Eagles 20-7 and had an advantage of shots on goal of nine to three. The Wolverines also earned six corner kicks, compared to the Golden Eagles’ one. The defense was disciplined in the back, stopping multiple counter attack opportunities and avoiding entering the referee’s card book. Nielsen made two saves in goal, both in the second half. Nielsen’s most crucial stop was from a cross she tipped over the bar that was heading for a wide open Golden Eagle’s attacker.

With the win, UVU snaps a three-game losing streak, improving to a 2-4-0 record overall. The win was also the Wolverines’ first on an opponent’s home field. Next up for UVU is the home opener against Wyoming on Sept. 8.