Smith Scores Second Straight Game-Winner in 1-0 Win at MSJ

CINCINNATI, Ohio – As the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference play opened up today, the DC women's soccer team found a way to win, as it has all season long. Junior Karly Smith was the hero for the team, as she scored with less than three minutes left in the game to give the Jackets the 1-0 victory.

The Yellow Jackets now improve to 6-3-2 (1-0 HCAC) with the hard-fought conference win and the Lions of Mount St. Joseph fall to 0-10 (0-1 HCAC), as they are still searching for their first victory.

Defiance began the match hot, as it took control early on with a heavy offensive attack. The team racked off six shots in the first fifteen minutes to the Lions one. But play slowly evened out as MSJ clawed back into the game.

By the end of the first period, the match was still squared away at zero, as the defenses had held tight. DC had managed a respectable 12 shots at the net, while Mount had gotten some offense going to produce eight.

As the second period got underway, much of same continued from both sides. The squads went back-and-forth with shots on the net, but neither could convert any opportunities.

Then, as the clock was winding down with under three minutes left to play in regulation, junior forward Karly Smith beat the MSJ goalkeeper for a 1-0 Yellow Jacket score and DC held on to the lead for the victory. Smith's is now tied for the team lead with four goals on the year, while heading the squad with 10 points.

In the Jackets last match on Monday, September 24 against the Rochester College Warriors, Smith came in the clutch in the exact same fashion, as she netted the only score of the game late in the 1-0 road win.

DC will return to action Tuesday, October 2, when they travel to Richmond, Ind. for its second HCAC battle with the Earlham Quakers. The match is slated for 4 p.m.