The Kenyon women’s soccer team opened its season last weekend with a nonconference away game against the Franciscan University Barons. Despite 12 shots from the Owls, the Barons managed to keep the score deadlocked at 0-0. However, Kenyon found its footing on Wednesday, dominating Bethany College (W.Va.) 6-0.
On Saturday against Franciscan, Emily Copeland ’28 took her first of three shots for the Owls in the first six minutes, but each narrowly missed the net. Fighting to keep momentum, Kenyon got another seven shots off the rest of the half, three of which were on net and saved by the Baron’s goalkeeper.
The Owls maintained a strong defense throughout the rest of the half, denying the Barons any on-goal opportunities. Kenyon also racked up six offensive corners while holding the Barons to zero.
As the second half began, both sides refused to give in. The Owls came out strong with an immediate shot on goal from Mia Voutsinas ’29 barely a minute in, but the Franciscan defense continued its strong play, preventing the go-ahead goal.
The Barons managed to gain traction in the second half with two shots, both of which were saved by the Kenyon defensive front. The Owls had a few more opportunities as the clock neared the 90th minute, but nothing connected and the game ended in a draw.
Still on the hunt for their first win of the season, the Owls got out to an incredible start against Bethany College on Wednesday afternoon. Kenyon registered its first shot just over a minute in, and while that one did not connect, Rafaela Plasa ’29 sent the next shot in, putting Kenyon up 1-0 in the second minute of play. Only four minutes later, a Bethany penalty gave the Owls another goal opportunity, and Voutsinas successfully faked out the Bisons’ goalkeeper to put the Owls up 2-0.
These two goals set the tone for Kenyon, as the Owls continued to rattle off points for the remainder of the game. Plasa, Copeland, Addison Szollosi ’29 and Sadie Javello ’28 all added goals to the Kenyon total, and the Owls finished the game with a 6-0 shutout of the Bison.
The Owls will be back on the road tomorrow as they travel to Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, to take on Geneva College (Penn).