Trojans Dominate Season-Opener with an Array of Career Games

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UPLAND, Ind. – The Taylor University women's soccer squad dominated its season-opener, boasting a 6-0 victory over the Asbury Eagles with Claire Nieshalla and Claire Massey posting career games.

Play started off fairly slow as the teams grew accustomed to the heat-ridden turf, although it did not take long for the Trojans to settle in. In the seventh minute of the opening half, junior midfielder, Claire Nieshalla, began her career effort. After an Eagle defender cut off a pass from senior Ali Vander Kolk, Nieshalla swiped it right back and scored her first goal of the game while taking a significant hit from the Eagle defense.

Seven minutes later, Nieshalla struck again, this time benefitting from an assist dished out by senior, Erin Teevans. Vander Kolk sent Teevans running up the right side, who, after beating a defender, sent the ball cross-field toward Nieshalla. On its way, the ball snuck by an Eagle defender before Nieshalla's shot split two more on its way to the back of the net. Nieshalla's second goal of the game completed her career game, as it earned the junior her first multi-goal game in a Trojan uniform.

After being up 2-0, Ali Vander Kolk figured it was about time for her to score her first goal with her new name. Ali Vander Kolk, previously Ali Clodjo and recently married to senior men's soccer player, Clay Vander Kolk, showed off some stellar body control in her first goal of the season. Junior AC Hardy sent Vander Kolk up the right side, who, after boxing off two defenders, squared herself toward the goal and struck the ball off the top post and into the net.

With just under 12 minutes left to play in the first half, sophomore, Claire Massey, began her career night in style. Massey received a pass from fellow sophomore, Emma Goebel, before dribbling the ball up the right side and delivering a powerful strike from 31 yards out into the top-left corner of the net. Massey's remarkable goal was the first of her career, yet it would not be the last of her night.

The Trojans went into half up 4-0 and came out in the second half hungry for more. Massey was the one to lead the charge. In the 13th minute of the second half, Massey worked the ball up the right side and unleashed another impressive strike from an even more impressive angle, scoring her second goal of the game. While Massey and Nieshalla led the charge, each with two-score games, freshman Audrey Grimm joined them in their career efforts.

With just under 21 minutes left to play in the match, fellow freshman Emma Carrell found Grimm cutting across the Eagle defense. Carrell connected with Grimm, who then beat a defender and drilled the ball to the top-left corner of the net for her first career goal. Grimm's goal earned Carrell her first career assist.

TU's defense was incredible throughout the match. Led by seniors Riley Massey and Linli Tu, along with junior Hannah Dempsey and goalie Hannah Brackenbury, the Trojans did not allow the Eagles (0-1-0) to take a single shot, let alone land any on goal.

The Trojans (1-0-0) will travel to RV Trinity Christian (1-0-0) on Wednesday, September 1, at 5:00 pm for their first road game of the year.