Box Score On the day it was announced that Southwestern Christian University would be joining the Sooner Athletic Conference, the Wayland Baptist women's soccer team didn't offer such a warm welcome.
The Pioneers scored two goals in the first 3:40 and went on to record a 5-1 victory over the Lady Eagles on Tuesday afternoon at J.V. Hilliard Field.
"We finally started well," Wayland coach
Shiloh Posey said. "I felt like that had been an issue, starting out on a bad foot. But when you get a goal 60 seconds in, that momentum carries over."
Junior
Emarie Holland and freshman
Tessia Walters scored two goals apiece for Wayland (5-3), which did all of its damage in the first half.
"We really connected," Holland said.
Posey said his team quickly saw that it was going to be their day.
"The girls realized they were the better team today," the coach said. "They took advantage of the opportunities (Southwestern Christian) gave us."
Holland helped Wayland get out of the blocks strong, scoring first on a header that ricocheted off a Lady Eagle for a 1-0 lead at the 1:07 mark.
Tori Nimtz was credited with the assist.
"We were intense from the very start," Holland said. "That's one of the main things we talk about. When you (score early) it throws the other team off."
Holland assisted on Wayland's next goal, which came at the 3:40 mark when freshman
Jessica Bell poked in Holland's cross.
Holland scored her second goal 19:15 into the game. It was her team-leading sixth goal of the season.
"I only had seven goals last year, and I already have six and we haven't even started conference," said Holland, who recorded a hat trick against the University of Houston-Victoria on Sept. 3.
Walters, of Amarillo High, tallied her first two collegiate goals within 44 seconds of each other, first on a shot into the right corner of the goal then on a ball that hit off the crossbar and rolled in.
"We played really well," Holland said. "There is a lot of talent on that field. This team works really well together and meshes really well."
Southwestern Christian (2-3-1) scored its lone goal not quite eight minutes into the second half on a penalty kick against WBU substitute keeper
Samantha Garcia.
Courtney Chambers notched three saves in the first half.
Posey said the Pioneers were able to work on some of the things they've been working on and talking about in practice in the second half.
"We were able to implement some of that, to some extent," he said. "That was good."
Wayland attempted 20 shots, all but four of which were on goal. The Lady Eagles took seven shots, including five on goal.
In the middle of a five-game home stand, the Pioneers next take the field at 7 p.m. Friday for a scrimmage against Ranger Junior College. Their next official game is at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 26 at home against Dallas Christian. The home stand ends with Wayland's Sooner Athletic Conference opener at 6 p.m. Sept. 29 against Lubbock Christian.
"We're getting close," Posey said of conference play. "My plan is for us not to lose focus since we have more time in between games. We have to make sure we stay sharp."
