Tiffin, OH – Before the season began, seventh-year head coach Nick Spell knew his youthful team, consisting of many freshmen and sophomores, would need time to come together as a team. In a 3-1 loss to Grove City College at Hidden Valley Soccer Complex, Spell saw the ups and downs that accompany such seasons.
Down 2-0 in the 57th minute, sophomore midfielder Stephanie Crossman (Dayton/Bellbrook) sent a corner kick into the penalty area. The ball would deflect off of several players before freshman Jeannette Jinkinson (Cincinnati/Indian Hill) put it in the net with her right foot. The goal for Jinkinson is the first of her college career.
“I was excited for Jeannette to get the goal,” said Spell. “She’s a hard-nosed player who has worked extremely hard through camp and the early part of the season.”
Despite the 3-1 loss, freshman goalkeeper Julie Cross (Bowling Green) tallied another eight saves along with the six she collected against Case Western yesterday afternoon.
“Julie has trained hard with goalkeeper coach Heather Denaro,” said Spell. “She’s has kept us in these first two ballgames.”
The Wolverines got on the scoreboard in the 16th minute when Sam Weber knocked in her first of the contest and second goal of the season. Weber netted her second goal of the match in the 21st minute after she received a cross from the foot of Kristin Thomas.
With the score 2-1 Grove City tallied another goal in the 65th minute when Shannon Bishop served up an assist to Holly Spofford.
Heidelberg returns to action on September 8th when they travel to Indiana to take on Hanover College. It will be a homecoming for graduate assistant Blaine Bishop who played as a center midfielder for the Panthers before coming to Heidelberg.