By Tyler Cagle, Sports Writer
Baylor soccer dropped both of its games this weekend during the Boilermaker Challenge Cup in West Lafayette, Ind. While both contests were close, the two losses extended the Bears’ losing streak to four games.
Though the Bears boasted a perfect record after pre-season exhibition games, they have yet to win a game in the regular season (0-4-0).
The first game of the weekend was against the Purdue Boilermakers. The Lady Bears lost the match 2-1 after allowing a goal three minutes into the game.
Baylor scored the equalizer in the 84th minute off a Sarah King from a shot that was deflected off the post by Boilermaker goalkeeper Erika Yohn.
Purdue slotted the go-ahead goal just one minute and 15 seconds after Baylor equalized. Hannah Leinert, who assisted on both of Purdue’s goals, crossed in a ball that connected with Dagny Olson who netted the winning goal.
“Our girls are learning a ton because the competition has been really good,” head coach Paul Jobson said. “We see where the holes are. We have a great mentality and we will grow from here.”
The overtime loss against the Indiana Hoosiers marked the second time the Bears lost in overtime this season. Each of Baylor’s games this season have been decided by a one-goal difference.
“We played well enough to win and had our chances, but just couldn’t find the back of the net,” Jobson said. “When you let a good team hang around like we did, something is bound to happen. We have to keep our heads up, keep learning and move on. The wins will come here shortly.”
The Bears led the Hoosiers in shots with a 14-8 advantage but could not capitalize.
Baylor’s best opportunity came in the 15th minute as a header from freshman midfielder King required a difficult save by Indiana’s Sarah Stone.
In the 95th minute, Indiana attempted a free kick at the top of the box. After the first attempt from the kick failed, the ball came back to Indiana’s Cassidy Blancha. Blancha barried her shot to earn the golden goal for the Hoosiers.
While the Bears dropped the first four games of the season by only one goal each, they also have showcased that they indeed have strengths, Jobson said.
Offensively, the Bears have a multitude of opportunities so far this season but struggle with finishing them off.
The Bears seek their elusive first win of the season as they return to Texas for the back end of their four-game road trip. Baylor takes on Sam Houston State at 6:30 p.m. Friday at Pritchett Field in Huntsville.
