The Terriers traveled to Berea, OH to the campus of Baldwin-Wallace College last Tuesday and suffered their second loss of the season 0:1 in a tightly-fought match on the narrow turf at George Finnie Stadium and Tressell Field. 

 

The Yellow Jackets tactic of heavy-handed play was not effective in disrupting the composure and possession of the Terrier side.  Though B-W generated 10 shots in the 1^st half, only six were truly quality chances.  But, one was enough.  A deep diagonal service isolate the Hiram backline for a moment and a bit of indecision allowed the Yellow Jacket’s Heather Keller to slip a ball past Terrier first-year goalkeeper Lisa Silvestro (London, ON/London Gryphons) in what would eventually prove to be the match-winner for B-W.

 

After the interval, each side generated three shots on target, but the Terriers created six of their own quality chances, including two very dangerous corner kicks in the latter stages of the half.  Junior midfielder Chelsea Ulmer (Toledo, OH/Sylvania Northview) was instrumental in helping Hiram keep possession and sustain attacks while switching the field often.  The Terriers had a distinct advantage in time-of-possession in the 2^nd half and created a number chances from outside the area.

 

“We were able to do whatever we liked between the penalty areas,” said Head Coach Bob Dean.  “Unfortunately, we were lacking in the quality of the final pass in the attacking third in the match.  That was disappointing because I believe we were equal to the task tonight with the opponent.  I was really proud of the composure we showed in light of the inappropriate tactics by our hosts.  We simply did not get to the front third with quality.”

 

Ulmer and first-year midfielder Kelsey Martin (Austintown, OH/Fitch) were responsible for instigating all of the chances in the 2^nd half for the Terriers and Martin nearly headed home the equalizer late in the match.  The B-W goalkeeper made a point-blank stop and parried away another service to sustain the victory for them.

 

In the end, the Terriers held the edge in corners 2:1 on the evening while B-W had the advantage in quality chances and in the single statistic that counted…the final tally.