Eitniear, Sesock Score As Express Defeats Delta College 2-1 In Heavy Rain

Kendra Eitniear sprints down the sideline in today's match against Delta College. The sophomore tied the game at one early in the match. Photo by Kyle Wilber/Owens Sports Information
Kendra Eitniear sprints down the sideline in today's match against Delta College. The sophomore tied the game at one early in the match. Photo by Kyle Wilber/Owens Sports Information

By Nicholas Huenefeld/Owens Sports Information

Toledo, OH---Jaime Sesock scored the game winning goal just before the end of the first half as the Express women's soccer team avenged an earlier defeat with a 2-1 win over Delta College.

Just minutes into the match, Delta's Kay Green scooped up a ball that the Express failed to clear in front of the net to put the Pioneers up 1-0 at the 3:09 mark.

Kendra Eitniear would answer minutes later, however, for the Express as she took a crossing shot from Drew Plummer off her stomach and into the net to tie the match at the 7:55 mark.

Then, 44:03 into the match, Sesock faked a defender and took a shot from about 20 yards out. The ball deflected off the hands of Delta's starting goalkeeper, Michelle Sheperd, and over her head to put the Express up 2-1.

Plummer got the assist on Eitniear's goal, while Sesock's was unassisted.

Owens controlled play for the most part as they had 10 shots on goal, compared to just two for Delta. Sheperd, who played the first half, made four saves for Delta, while Courtney Neiderquill made five saves in the second half.

Erika Brinkman started and played all 90 minutes in goal for the Express. She made two saves.

With the win, the Express improve to 6-2-2 overall and 5-1-1 in Region XII. The Pioneers fall to 6-3-0 overall and 5-2-0 in Region XII. The win also put the Express back on top of the Region XII standings, which helps for postseason seeding.

Notes

At the 76:14 mark, the match was delayed for approximately 40 minutes due to lightning.

The match, which was played in heavy rain and winds, marked the first win for the Express over Delta College in the two-year history of the program. The Pioneers were previously 3-0 against the Express, including a 2-1 win on Sept. 12.

Eitniear's goal was her sixth of the season and 27th of her career. She is the program's all-time goals scored leader as she recently passed Marissa Szabo (25, 2011).

Sesock's goal was her second of the year and sixth of her career.

Tomorrow's scheduled match for the Express at Goshen College JV in Goshen, IN has been canceled.