The No. 8 Central Methodist women’s soccer team won a thrilling contest against No. 22 Benedictine College by a final score of 2-0 last Wednesday night at Davis Field. 

With the win, Central improves to 8-1 and 5-0 in the conference, while Benedictine falls to 7-3 and 7-2 in Heart play. The Eagles currently sit atop the conference standings with a winning percentage of .889. 

It was an even opening 17 minutes of play, before lightning in the area paused the action for more than 90 minutes. Once play resumed, both sides remained scoreless heading into the halftime break. 

The deadlock was broken in the 58th minute when sophomore midfielder Sandra Jakobsen sent a ball into the box, finding the head of freshman teammate Roneisha Frank who flicked the ball past the keeper for the score. Central added to their lead 20 minutes later as freshman Alicia Zamora fired a pass from midfield to Jakobsen. Jakobsen then scored off a deflection by the Ravens’ goalkeeper, giving CMU a 2-0 lead.

The Eagles’ defense held Benedictine out of goal through the final 13 minutes of play, preserving the 2-0 shut out victory. 

Central’s defense didn’t allow a Raven shot throughout the first half, and concluded the match outshooting Benedictine, 27-2. Jakobsen and reigning NAIA National Offensive Player of the Week senior Andrea Villar led the CMU offense with five shots each, including three on goal for Jakobsen. junior Laura Riesenbeck and freshman  Marcella Helena each tallied four shots, while junior Maria Cervello and senior  Zoe Jessen added three. 

Frank recorded her fourth goal of the season on the game winner in the 58th minute, while Jakobsen sealed the match with her fourth goal of 2021. 

Freshman Grace Reynolds earned her second win in her second start between the posts,  recording one save.