Yellow Jackets Sports Weekly Recap (Aug. 29- Sept. 4)
By: Brandon Unverferth
Photography: Hanna Young
Women’s Soccer: Thursday Sept. 1 and Sunday Sept. 4th
9/1: Defiance 9, Andrews 0
The Yellow Jackets women’s soccer team opened their season with a trip to Berrien Springs, Michigan, to take on the Andrews University Cardinals. The Yellow Jackets started off with a “bang“, as they dominated the box score 9-0! Just 40 seconds into the game, senior Brianna Snider knocks in a goal, for her first of three goals in the contest. At the 30-minute mark, junior Melissa Bixler knocks in a goal and, shortly after, splashes in another goal at the 33-minute mark. Junior Sarah O’Shea puts in three goals in the 2nd half alone, at minute marks 62, 85, and 87; meanwhile, another junior Hallie Webb snags a piece of the pie with a goal at the start of the 2nd half (47-minute mark). The Yellow Jackets could not have started the season out any better, as they once again defeated the Andrews Cardinals 9-0.
When senior Brianna Snider was asked by The Defender about the team’s dominating victory to start off the season, she expressed, “Today’s victory was a team win and a great start of the season for our team. I think compared to last season, we are off to a great start as a team rather than individuals, and our chemistry has been amazing throughout the season so far. I am grateful to play my final year with these girls, and I believe that this season you will see a new type of DCWS with a different playing style.”
9/4: Eureka 1, Defiance 0
The Defiance College women’s soccer team hosted the Eureka College Red Devils at Winsper-Knobel Memorial Field for a Sunday afternoon showdown. After a scoreless first half, the Red Devils get on the scoreboard early in the second half, with a goal by freshman Jenna Kinney (51-minute mark). The Yellow Jackets attempted to even the score in the final 39 minutes of the contest, with a barrage of shot attempts, but in the end, the Yellow Jackets fell in the home opener 1-0. Senior Brianna Snider had the best chance for Defiance to even the score, but Eureka’s starting goalkeeper (freshman) Lizzie Brooksher made a spectacular save to preserve the shutout for the Red Devils.
Men’s Soccer at Heidelberg University
The Defiance College men’s soccer team traveled east to Tiffin, Ohio, to take on the Heidelberg Student Princes at Hidden Valley Soccer Complex on Thursday evening. The season opener was a thriller, as senior Jeremy Jimenez scored the lone goal for the Yellow Jackets with just 31 seconds left in the 1st half! Freshman Jeremy Fuller is credited with the assist. Shortly after the 63-minute mark, Heidelberg gets on the scoreboard with a goal by senior Kelly Itito. The Yellow Jackets and Student Princes exchange shots for the remaining 27 minutes, but in the end, the game ends in a 1-1 tie.
“The boys displayed some exciting things that will hopefully continue to be seen throughout the remainder of the season.” – Noah Svanberg Men’s Soccer Student Manager
When Student Manager Noah Svanberg was asked by The Defender about the mindset following a tie game to open the season, he expressed, “We have a big test at Wilmington next Wednesday. Tying 1-1 vs. Heidelberg was, of course, not the desired outcome, but there were definitely some good takeaways.”
Friday, Sept. 2
Volleyball vs Eastern Mennonite University (Great Lakes Crossover at Cedar Point)
The Yellow Jackets volleyball team kicked off their season with a matchup against Eastern Mennonite University, as a part of the Great Lakes Crossover event at Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio. The first game of the evening was a clean sweep for the Yellow Jackets, as they captured three straight sets, 28-26, 25-19, and 25-21.
Volleyball vs. Geneva College (Great Lakes Crossover at Cedar Point)
In their second match of the day, the Yellow Jackets volleyball team faced off against the Geneva College Golden Tornadoes, in the Great Lakes Crossover event at Cedar Point. This game would come down to the fifth and final set. The Yellow Jackets would drop the first two sets 25-22 and 25-19 before they would capture two straight sets, 25-15 and 26-24. The fifth set was a thriller, as both teams went back and forth, but in the end, the Yellow Jackets lost in heartbreaking fashion, 17-15.
Men’s Cross Country at Eastern Illinois University
The Yellow Jackets men’s cross country team began their season with a trip to Eastern Illinois University for the Walt Crawford Open. Freshman Alex Burney finished with a time of 30:59.8, which was good for a 70th place finish. Indiana State University took home the Walt Crawford Open team victory. Alex was the lone runner for the Yellow Jackets.
Women’s Cross Country at Eastern Illinois University
The Yellow Jackets women’s cross country team began their season with a trip to Eastern Illinois University for the Walt Crawford Open. Freshman Shyla Pemberton finished with a time of 29:38.7, which was good for a 60th-place finish. Marquette University took home the Walt Crawford Open team victory. Shyla was the lone runner for the Yellow Jackets.
Saturday, Sept. 3
Football at Mount Union University
The Yellow Jackets football team kicked off their season with a trip to Mount Union University to take on the Raiders at Kehres Stadium. Last season, the Mount Union Raiders finished 13-1, with their only loss of the season occurring in the NCAA DIII Football Championship Semifinals. While expectations for this Yellow Jackets team are focused on obtaining wins, the trip to Mount Union provided many great learning opportunities for this squad, which they hope to use to their benefit in future games this season. The Yellow Jackets would fall to Mount Union 65-0. Senior Thomas Coltrain led the Defiance defense with nine total tackles, including two tackles-for-loss for four yards, while senior Jordan Ambrose led the Yellow Jacket offense with 74 passing yards and 50 rushing yards on 12 carries.
Volleyball vs. Allegheny College (Great Lakes Crossover at Cedar Point)
The Yellow Jackets volleyball team began their final day of action at the Great Lakes Crossover event at Cedar Point, with a matchup against Allegheny College. The early morning start of 10 am, seemed to impact the Yellow Jackets’ performance. The Yellow Jackets suffered a three-set sweep, as the Allegheny Gators took the first three sets 25-22, 25-15, and 25-22.
Volleyball vs. Saint Mary’s (Ind.) College (Great Lakes Crossover at Cedar Point)
The Yellow Jackets volleyball team wrapped up their weekend as a part of the Great Lakes Crossover event at Cedar Point, with a matchup against the Saint Mary’s Belles. The Yellow Jackets lost a hard-fought contest 3-2.
Wednesday, Sept. 7
Volleyball (1-3) vs. Heidelberg University (2-1)
Location: Karl H. Weaner Center
(7 pm)
Men’s Soccer (0-0-1) at Wilmington College (1-1)
(7 pm)
Women’s Soccer (1-1) at Heidelberg University (0-1-1)
(7 pm)
Thursday, Sept. 8
Men’s Golf at Lourdes University
(9 am)
Friday, Sept. 9
Women’s Golf at Olivet College for the Kyle Campbell Invitational
(2 pm)
Volleyball (1-3) vs. Birmingham-Southern College (3-0) as a part of the Pam Briggs Classic at Capital University
(4 pm)
Volleyball (1-3) vs. Capital University (1-3) as a part of the Pam Briggs Classic at Capital University
(6 pm)
Saturday, Sept. 10
Women’s Golf at Olivet College for the Kyle Campbell Invitational
(8:30 am)
Volleyball (1-3) vs. Thiel College (2-2) as a part of the Pam Briggs Classic at Capital University
(10 am)
Men’s Soccer (0-0-1) vs. Mount Union University (1-1) as a part of the Mount Union Invitational at Mount Union University
(1 pm)
Volleyball (1-3) vs. Otterbein University (4-0) as a part of the Pam Briggs Classic at Capital University
(2 pm)
Sunday, Sept. 11
Women’s Soccer (1-1) at Bethany College (1-0-1)
(3 pm)
Men’s Soccer (0-0-1) vs. TBD as a part of the Mount Union Invitational at Mount Union University
(Time: TBD)
