HESSTON, Kan. — The Hesston College women’s soccer team picked up a 6-3 victory over Bethany College on Saturday evening at Hesston, using three goals in each half to secure the win.
The Larks jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the 23rd minute when Zoe Tevaga scored off an assist from Rena Itoga. Susana Martinez doubled the advantage just 25 seconds later, scoring her first goal of the season. Bethany answered moments later when Leila Jones converted after initially having her penalty kick saved by Hesston goalkeeper Keira Rankin. Hesston regained its two-goal cushion in the 41st minute as Shannon Land scored off another assist from Itoga, sending the Larks into halftime with a 3-1 advantage.
Bethany cut the deficit to one early in the second half when Kellie McMahon scored in the 54th minute. Hesston responded quickly, however, as Yesenia Sanchez scored in the 58th minute off an assist from Tevaga. Martinez added her second goal of the night in the 69th minute, assisted by Brooklyn Paskett and Kristyn Oliver, giving the Larks a 5-2 lead.
Itoga capped Hesston’s scoring in the 81st minute, scoring an unassisted goal to make it 6-2. Bethany’s Paityn Lawrence added a goal in the 85th minute, but the Larks held on for the three-goal victory.
Hesston controlled the offensive attack throughout the match, outshooting Bethany 27-9 and putting 15 shots on goal compared with six for the Swedes. Itoga finished with a goal and two assists, while Martinez scored twice. Land added a goal and an assist, and Tevaga recorded a goal and an assist. Rankin made three saves in goal for Hesston.
With the win, Hesston improved to 1-1-1 on the season, while Bethany fell to 0-1.
