WBU records first on-field win of season

Box Score Several days ago the Wayland Baptist women's soccer team was awarded its first win of the season due to a forfeit by Texas-Permian Basin in the season-opener.
 
Maybe since they felt they didn't earn it on the field, there wasn't much celebrating upon receiving the news of that victory.
 
On Saturday afternoon at mist-covered Hilliard Field, there was lots to celebrate.
 
Wayland broke through with three goals and the Pioneers posted a 3-0 Sooner Athletic Conference victory over Central Christian College (Kan.).
 
"Today being a legitimate win, especially with it being in conference play, that's huge for us," Wayland coach Shiloh Posey said. "Today helps us out a lot."
 
After scoring just two goals in their first seven matches, the Pioneers (2-6, 1-1 SAC) – who were playing after the men's game instead of before it – recorded three goals against the Eagles (3-6, 0-1), who were playing their first-ever SAC contest.
 
"It was nice to finally break through and get some goals today," Posey said.
 
First on the board was Natalie Stahmann, a fifth-year senior who tallied her first career goal just under nine minutes in. Stahmann happened on a rebounded ball that came off the post, with an assist going to Chelsea Beaubouef.
 
Just 86 seconds before halftime, Wayland made it 2-0 on a goal by Stone Graham off a cross by Victoria Bonahoom.
 
Then, less than two minutes after the break, junior transfer Bonahoom picked up her first WBU goal that followed a cross from Juliana Christensen that was headed by Megan Attenborough.
 
"It was a red letter day for all of us in different ways," Posey said.
 
Eight different WBU players combined to take 10 shots, six of which were on target. WBU keeper Erin Moon was credited with three saves on five CCC shots.
 
"Today every player had a major role in our success," said Posey, who went into the match with just five subs and ended it with only two.
 
"We're down to 13 right now. We had one girl playing with a strained hamstring, one with a hip flexor, one with migraines. We've been patching it together.
 
"For them to stick it out and give all they could, putting in minutes and time and effort, kudos to each of them."
 
Posey said he felt his team bond after experiencing some common adversity in a match two weeks ago against Huston-Tillotson.
 
"I felt we turned a corner that day, and today they showed that they've truly come together," the coach said. "Today was a culmination of a lot of hard work and a shift in mentality, and a realization that literally everyone has to be tuned in, concentrating and pushing toward the same focus and goal."
 
The Pioneers went from being in last place in the conference standings to being tied for fifth.
 
"One game can change everything," Posey said.
 
The coach hopes that's true not only in the league standings but also for the rest of the season as the Pioneers look to continue turning the corner.
 
"Hopefully this is the first step in the right direction of several more steps," Posey said.
 
The next step will be a tough one as the Pioneers travel to Siloam Springs, Ark., to face No. 23 John Brown (8-2, 2-0) at 5 p.m. Thursday. The Golden Eagles took out Texas Wesleyan this weekend in Fort Worth, 5-1. After that the Pioneers go to Muskogee, Okla., to meet last-place Bacone (2-8, 0-2) at 1 p.m. Saturday.
 
"We have a long trip coming up and a tough game against John Brown. We're going to do everything we can to play competitively and represent ourselves and the school well," Posey said. "Hopefully we come out on the positive end of both of those."