No. 21 Women’s Soccer runs unbeaten streak to nine contests with 1-0 victory over Capital

By: Andrew Korba

ADA — Junior Tara Tokar headed in an early goal in the No. 21 Ohio Northern women's soccer team's 1-0 win over Capital, Saturday afternoon at the ONU Soccer Field

With the win, Northern is now 9-1-2 and 3-0 in the OAC while the Crusaders fall to 4-7-1 and 2-1-0 in conference. The Polar Bears are also one game away from tying a program-best 10-game unbeaten streak.

Tokar headed in a soaring ball on a free kick from senior Alyssa Merrick in the fourth minute. The goal was Tokar's second of the season and Merrick's OAC leading seventh assist.

Northern had another scoring chance in the 34th minute when freshman Kristina Klusek rocketed back-to-back shots, the first was a blasted ball saved by Crusader goalie Maggie Donnellan and Klusek's rebound effort blocked by Capital's defenders.

In the 70th minute, the Crusaders tried to capitalize on a free kick by Capital senior Kaylee Phillps, which sailed toward the goal. Junior goalie Erin Waehner made a leaping save in traffic to preserve the lead.

"Capital is a tough team and I was happy with the way we played today," head coach Mark Batman said. "I thought our girls showed some great maturity throughout the game with everything that was thrown at them."

Northern outshot Capital 13-4 on the afternoon. Defensively, Waehner made two saves and recorded her second-straight shutout and fourth on the season.

Ohio Northern will be in action again Wednesday when the team travels to Westerville to play Otterbein at 4 p.m.