KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Hesston College women's soccer team closed out its regular season with a commanding 4-0 victory over Spurgeon College on Friday, Oct. 30. Four different Larks found the back of the net as Hesston controlled the match offensively and secured a shutout heading into postseason play.
The Larks wasted little time getting on the scoreboard. Just over five minutes into the match, Hanna Sullivan scored off an assist from Susana Martinez to give Hesston an early 1-0 advantage.
Hesston continued applying pressure, with Yesenia Sanchez and Sullivan each forcing saves from Spurgeon goalkeeper Hannah Richardson. The Larks doubled their lead in the 19th minute when Martinez found the back of the net off an assist from Kristyn Oliver, extending the advantage to 2-0.
Spurgeon attempted to respond with several first-half opportunities, but Hesston goalkeeper Keira Rankin made an early save, and the Larks' defense kept the hosts off the scoreboard through halftime.
Hesston came out aggressively in the second half, generating five shots in the opening six minutes. Sanchez and Oliver each tested Richardson, while Oliver nearly added another goal in the 52nd minute when her shot struck the post.
The Larks continued to dominate possession and create scoring opportunities, earning seven second-half corner kicks while preventing Spurgeon from recording a single shot after halftime.
Hesston's persistence paid off in the 83rd minute when Zoe Tevaga scored off an assist from Shannon Land to extend the lead to 3-0.
Just over four minutes later, Rena Itoga added the final goal of the afternoon, finishing an opportunity set up by Sullivan in the 87th minute to seal the 4-0 victory.
Sullivan finished with a goal and an assist, while Martinez also contributed a goal and an assist. Tevaga and Itoga each added a goal, with Oliver and Land recording assists.
Hesston outshot Spurgeon 15-4, including a 10-1 advantage in shots on goal. Sanchez led the Larks with four shots, three on target, while Oliver added three attempts. Rankin played all 90 minutes in goal, recording one save to earn the shutout.
The victory closes the regular season for Hesston as the Larks turn their attention to the Continental Athletic Conference Tournament in Lawrenceville, Ga. Hesston will face tournament host Georgia Gwinnett College in the opening round on Sunday, Nov. 8, at 5 p.m. EST (4 p.m. CST).
