HOBBS, N.M. – Seniors Megan Attenborough scored twice and Taylor Moore once to lead Wayland Baptist's women's soccer team to a 3-1 season-opening victory over University of the Southwest here Monday afternoon.
"We started off on a good foot," WBU coach Shiloh Posey said. "Obviously it's still early in the season so we have some things to work on, but overall I was very pleased."
Looking to avenge a 3-0 loss at home last season to the Mustangs, the Pioneers prevailed to improve to 7-3-1 in their last 10 season debuts.
"We knew it would be a tough game. We lost last year to them at home, so we wanted to try to get that bac," Posey said.
Wayland's first goal came just 3:23 into play. On a counter-attack, Moore took the ball on the right wing, dribbled past an outside defender then crossed the ball high to fellow senior Attenborough in the box. Attenborough scored from point-blank range.
The Pioneers went up 2-0 in the 20th minute when Moore's cross found first-year transfer Fortune Kede. A header from the junior from Ghana was deflected by the USW keeper, but Attenborough was there to drive it home. After scoring three goals all of last season, Attenborough already has two, matching the total from her sophomore season.
WBU went up 3-0 in the 66th minute when Moore, the Pioneers' top goal scorer last season with 11, ran up on a ball that freshman Natalie Terry had taken near midfield and played over the defenders to the right wing. Moore scored from some 18 yards away.
"The girls did a good job of taking advantage of our chances. We had a goal or two called back because we were a half-step offsides or something like that, but I was pleased with the way we attacked the ball and defended," Posey said.
Senior Victoria Bonahoom saved seven shots, allowing only a goal in the 70th minute.
"Tori did a good job. She did a good job directing (the defense) and made some good saves," Posey said. "We had a good all-team performance. We had a mentality of 'we're all in this together,' so I pleased with that. That's what we want and what we're going to build toward.
USW was credited with twice as many shots, 20 to 10. The Pioneers got six shots on-goal, compared to eight for the Mustangs.
"I was pleased with the way we stepped out and did what we had to do," Posey said. "The girls played extremely focused and with intensity. They were clean and aggressive and had a we-want-the-ball-more-than-you-do type attitude."
While Wayland improved to 1-0, USW fell to 2-3. The Mustangs were coming off a 2-0 loss to Arizona Christian which followed a 2-1 home win over Lubbock Christian. USW earlier lost to Ottawa-Arizona, 3-2, and picked up a forfeit win over Benedictine-Mesa, Ariz.
The Pioneers make their home debut at 5 p.m. Friday against Sul Ross State.
"We're grateful for this win and will go out in practice tomorrow and try to improve on today."
