The SMWC Soccer Team traveled to Anderson University to take on the Ravens Tuesday afternoon, a team that has enjoyed an almost unblemished record against The Woods, administering some stinging lessons in the process, particularly on their home field, though injuries have dampened their success this season.

SMWC came out composed and smooth, narrowly winning the possession battle in the first half but unable to produce a score. Soon after the break, though, Erin Pugh took a pass from Britt Simmerman, beat two defenders, and slotted the ball home for the first score. That advantage only held up for four minutes before the Ravens’ Autumn Tolliver leveled the match with a close range blast back across keeper April Baranowski to the far post.

Having set themselves the goal at halftime of scoring three goals in the second half, the SMWC Soccer Team went at the Ravens’ defense methodically, creating open looks at goal with combination play in the attacking third, only to have 5 solid shots absorbed by Raven keeper Heidi Lanzer. The suspense was finally broken in the 86^th minute, as Erin Pugh unleashed a cracking strike from the edge of the box that slammed into the top left corner and produced a lead that SMWC would not relinquish. Arrika Garcia put the cap on the game, taking a ball from Jessica Black and beating the keeper with only 13 seconds left for the 3-1 victory.

The SMWC Soccer Team will travel to Hanover on Friday to play the Panthers in perhaps the toughest test they will face to date. 

Submitted by Mike Aycock