Malone University Athletics

TIFFIN, Ohio - The Malone University women's soccer team snapped their three-match scoreless streak with a 2-0 victory at Tiffin University on Saturday afternoon. The Pioneers got two goals from Jojo Knight in the second half to defeat the Dragons for the team's first win in Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) play this season.
 
Malone (2-2-1, 1-1-0 G-MAC) has now won the shots battle by a mark of 15-7 in back-to-back matches, but thankfully this one had a much more positive result for the Pioneers. Tiffin (2-3-1, 0-2-0 G-MAC) had just two shots on-goal but both were saved by Malone goalkeeper Amelia Henderhan (2-2-1) and the Pioneers put six on frame. It is the third shutout of the year in five matches for the defense.
 
The first 45 minutes went scoreless, but the Pioneers were on the precipice of a score throughout the period. Malone had five corner kicks and outshot their opponents 7-4, but could not break through for the go-ahead goal. Several attempts by the Pioneers were turned away by defenders that blocked the path of the ball. McKenna Schwartzengraber had the lone shot on-goal for the team just before the end of the first half.  
 
In the 53rd minute is when Malone finally broke the scoreless tie. Knight beat the final defender one-on-one and pushed a shot passed the Dragon goalkeeper after Morgan Kandel and Nayeli Cruz moved the ball forward into the offensive third. Eliza Wills forced the defense to make a play as well in the 56th minute, but less than 60 seconds later, Knight again found space and dribbled her way into the box to provide insurance at 2-0.
 
From there, the Pioneers showed patience under pressure and did not make a mistake with Tiffin getting aggressive to try to cut into Malone's lead. Henderhan made her second save of the contest in the 78th minute and Kandel tried to add on with a shot on-goal in the 84th minute, but the score would remain at 2-0 at full time.
 
Knight led the offense with five shot attempts in the game and both goals, the first two of her Pioneer career. Henderhan and Aubree Mellana played all 90 minutes for the defense, with Wills, Maya Najjar and Raegan Radel on the pitch for more than 80 minutes.
 
Malone is on the road once again on Thursday, September 17 at Cedarville University. First kick is scheduled for 4:30 P.M. on FloCollege.