The SMWC Soccer Team ran into a skilled and athletic Earlham team on Saturday with key starters for The Woods either out or limited in their play. The Quakers jumped to an early lead in the fourth and sixth minutes on a goals by Ikumi Doucette and Karman Duchon, adding three more over the course of the half for a 5-0 halftime lead that proved insurmountable. As in the Iowa Wesleyan match, the SMWC team showed grit and the ability to raise their game to a higher level in the second half, changing a possession advantage of more than two to one by Earlham to very close to even in the second.  The score remained the same until very near the final whistle, when the Quakers broke through twice more for a 7-0 final score.

Though the outcome was far from desirable, the SMWC Team came off the field with their heads up, having shown unusual composure to turn a tough day into skills they'll use in the near future. The Woods defending corps keeps getting better, as does the SMWC midfield in learning to apply pressure to very strong teams.

Bethel College, another very successful program, is the next opponent on Wednesday at home at 4 p.m.

Submitted by Mike Aycock