The Hiram College Women’s Soccer team commenced their 2011 campaign with a convincing 4:2 victory over the visiting Hilbert College (NY) Hawks. 

For much of the match, it was a survival game as the match time temperature was 95°.  Hiram was forced to run their entire roster in and out of the match which fit well with their style of play as they were able to do so successfully.  “To be as deep as we are at this time of the year is an absolute blessing and a credit to the great level of training that the players have put forth so far,” said eighth-year Head Coach Bob Dean.  “It was absolutely oppressive conditions to play under and I am very happy for the players and the result. 

The Terriers were assertive and aggressive from the very start the match stringing passes together and stretching out the Hawks backline and midfield as much as they possibly could.  In the 8^th minute, freshman midfielder Sarah Condon (Powell, OH/Bishop Watterson) opened up the scoring for the day and the season for Hiram finishing off a great serve from distance compliments of senior defender Kayla Durichko (Brunswick, OH/Brunswick).  At that point, with the Terriers having their first taste of blood in their mouths, Hiram put the Hawks on their heels.  In the 17^th minute, junior defender Lyndsay Witmer (Ashland, OH/Hillsdale) tucked home a nifty feed from freshman forward Jessica Berube (Barberton, OH/Norton).

Hiram may have been a bit relaxed because less than two minutes later following a foul in the middle third, the Terriers surrendered a poor goal when the restart was permitted to land mysteriously in the 18-yard box and bounce to the cross bar only to be put home by Hilbert’s Robbi Bailey.

This proved to be the Hawks only chance of the half.  Following the goal, the Terriers settled into some more possession.  In the 33^rd minute freshman forward Samantha Zuponcic (Mantua, OH/Crestwood) put the Terriers back up on top 3:1 through great individual effort from the left side of the goal in which her shot was initially saved and she was able to slip the rebound past the Hilbert goalkeeper. 

Hiram was able to generate 11 quality chances and 3 corners before the interval.  They produced 16 shots of which nine were on target in the half.

In the second half, the Terriers settled into a bit more of a tight and meticulous passing game that generated some great chances and opportunities.  But, it was Hilbert that took advantage of a strange officiating decision in the 58^th minute and their set piece sequence led to a goal from distance by Nicole Blair that brought the score back to 3:2.

At that point, the determined Terriers had had enough of the Hawks and they began to open them up in the back.  Zuponcic took the ensuing kick off after the goal right down the throat of the Hawks and nearly put one away.  And then, in the 66^th minute, freshman midfielder Tiffany Marchewka (Chesterfield, MI/L’Anse Cruese North) volleyed home a great slotted cross from fellow freshman midfielder Kelsey Martin (Austintown, OH/Fitch).  That closed out the scoring for the day but not the chances as Hiram generated another 12 quality chances, 17 shots and 11 on target in the 2^nd half along with three more corners. 

The Terriers 33 shots were the most generated in nearly three seasons.  The 125 patrons in attendance saw a tremendous effort to start the season in which Hiram responded to every ounce of adversity thrown at them including the severe heat.

“It is a great start for a young group that has some very special leadership,” added Dean.  “I am really anxious to see how much this team will grow in the next few weeks as we use all of our experiences to prepare us for a solid run in the conference.  We are really honored by this great effort today.”

Hiram is in action again tomorrow as they host the Spalding University (KY) Eagles at 2 p.m. on “The Hill” at the Hiram College Soccer Complex.

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