Najuka Anderson scored two goals and had an assist to help lead the Pioneer soccer team to a 4-0 victory over the University of the Southwest at Hilliard Field on Tuesday afternoon.
The Pioneers, who got just seven shots in a 1-0 loss to Howard Payne last Friday, out-shot the Lady Mustangs 36-8 to capture their first official win of the season. WBU got 18 shots in each period, even though they faced a stiff northerly wind in the second half.
"This was far and away our best game," said WBU Coach Shiloh Posey immediately following the contest. "The team chemistry, the spacing, the timing -- it finally happened today. All the things we have worked so hard on in practice, especially the past two or three days, it all came together."
According to Posey, the win was a total team effort.
"From back to front, the girls did a great job. No single person did anymore than anybody else. The three in back played outstanding defense, the mid-fielders worked hard, and the forwards constantly kept up the pressure."
Forward Kayla Lucus, who had two assists in the game, and sophomore Danielle Purcell, who added another, had three shots on goal a piece, as did freshman Tyneeka Stringer. Freshman Rebekah Windham came off the bench to contribute three points on a goal and an assist
Posey's defensive corps is comprised of three newcomers to the Pioneer squad. Freshmen Gillian Villegas, Staci Long and Tierra Timarky held USW to just eight shots in the game and only four of those were on goal. The majority of the shots occurred in the final 10 minutes after WBU's Amber Perez picked up a rebound off of Anderson's team-leading ninth shot to give the Pioneers the four goal lead.
Posey hopes that the win will inspire his team to keep improving.
"We face a tough task on Friday against [New Mexico] Highlands, but hopefully we can get on a roll now and keep going."
The Wayland women host their second straight match on Friday afternoon at 4:00 against NMHU. Admission to all Pioneer soccer games is free.
