BEREA, OHIO -- The Baldwin-Wallace College women's soccer team won its third straight game as it defeated Ohio Athletic Conference rival Mount Union College, 1-0, in the OAC opener for the Yellow Jackets today (Saturday, September 30, 2006) at The George Finnie Stadium in Berea.  It was the first game of a Community Day/ Night tripleheader at Finnie.

 

The game-winning goal was scored at the 73:51 mark of the contest when junior All-Ohio Athletic Conference forward Whitney Zunic (Canfield) scored on an assist from senior All-OAC midfielder Ashley Belardo (North Royalton).  Belardo led Zunic with a beautiful pass down the center of the field, outran a Purple Raider defender and then beat Purple Raider goal Senna Kelly.  Overall, B-W outshot Mt. Union, 13-7.

 

In goal, junior All-OAC and 2005 OAC Goalie of the Year Michelle Neff (Strongsville) faced seven Mt. Union shots but did not record a save.  She gained her seventh win this season, her fifth overall shutout, including three individual whitewashes.  Mt. Union's Kelly faced 13 B-W shots and was credited with nine saves.

 

With its win, the Yellow Jackets improve to 7-3 overall and 1-0 in the OAC.  With its loss, Mt. Union is now 3-7 overall and 0-1 in the OAC.  The Yellow Jacket women next play on Tuesday, October 3 at OAC and Cleveland cross-town rival John Carroll University in University Heights at the Don Shula Stadium at 4:00 p.m.

 

The Yellow Jackets and Purple Raiders played a scoreless half and the best early scoring chance of the second stanza came in the 62nd minute when B-W senior three-time All-OAC forward Jenny Miller (North Ridgeville) had a shot deflected by Kelly and the rebound shot by junior midfielder Allie Wojtkun (North Olmsted/ Magnificat) was just wide left of the net.  B-W then continued to put constant pressure of the Raiders until Belardo found Zunic for the game-winner.

 

Following its game at JCU on Tuesday, the B-W women will travel to Columbus next Saturday, Oct. 7 for a game at OAC rival Capital University.

 

FOR MORE B-W SPORTS INFORMATION, please contact B-W Sports Information Director Kevin Ruple by telephone at 440-826-2327, by FAX machine at 440-826-2329 or via e-mail at kruple@bw.edu.  To contact Head Coach Reid Ayers, please call him at 440-826-3839, FAX him at 440-826-2192 or e-mail him at rayers@bw.edu.