SWANNANOA, NC - On a scorching Saturday, September 21st, the Warren Wilson Owls hosted Berea College on Family Weekend, with strong support from families who took time to spend the weekend with their athletes. The Owls started the match focused on a possession-based game, stringing together passes but struggling to break through Berea's high defensive line.
Taking calculated risks building from the back, the Owls found themselves exposed, and Berea capitalized with two early goals in the first half, scoring in the 17th and 25th minutes. Despite the setbacks, Warren Wilson maintained their strategy, controlling possession as they sought to build up attacks. However, Berea struck again, finding the net from distance in the 33rd minute and then adding another goal in a 1v1 situation in the 36th minute, putting the Owls down 4-0 by halftime.
Determined to reset their mindset for the second half, the Owls came out fighting, but Berea managed to score another early goal in the 46th minute through a diagonal through ball that caught the Owls defense off guard. Despite the 5-0 deficit, Warren Wilson showed incredible resilience. In the 54th minute, after a foul on #10 Kyra Collins, she confidently converted the penalty kick, placing the ball hard and low into the right corner, out of the Berea goalkeeper's reach.
Warren Wilson continued to attack and control play, working the wide areas of the field, but couldn't find the finishing touch in the final third. In the 84th minute, #9 Verena Pate was fouled, earning the Owls a free kick in a dangerous area. Midfielder #16 Eden Gfeller stepped up and delivered a spectacular strike, curling the ball into the upper 90 to bring the score to 5-2.
Though the Owls fell short, losing 5-2, they left the field with their heads held high. Their hard work, resilience, and team spirit shone through as they fought until the final whistle. It wasn't the result they were hoping for, but the Owls' determination and perseverance proved they are a team to be reckoned with moving forward.
Final score: Berea College 5, Warren Wilson 2.
