HIRAM, Ohio – September 19, 2023 – Hiram improved to 3-2-2 this season thanks to an all-around performance on Tuesday night at Henry Field, as Bella Simmons recorded her first career goal and Skyler Huda notched her fourth shutout of the season to fuel Hiram's 1-0 win over Geneva.
The Terriers have a winning record for the first time this season and now feature a 5-0 record against Geneva all-time.
"It feels amazing," head coach Kaela Kovanda said of the victory. "I think it's good for the girls to see it, too."
It was a game defined by defensive stops, as each team would get valuable opportunities before the defense would do its part and keep the score tied. Geneva kicked a shot off the top post of the net in the 16th minute and Reagan Mory barely missed a shot off the right post of the net in the 39th minute to keep the score deadlocked at 0-0.
Hiram outshot its opposition in the first half, 11-7, with the two teams' goalkeepers combining for 7 saves. The freshman trio of Mory, Simmons and Sydney Ladage all were assertive on the offensive end, giving the Terriers something to build on leading into the second half.
Huda continued to be a force in goal, as she pursued loose balls and made multiple saves on full-extension dives to each side. The senior finished the night with 9 saves, giving her 55 for the entire season.
Simmons made the game-winning play in the 69th minute, finding a crease in the defense and taking advantage of a loose ball with a header toward the bottom-right corner of the net. Once the ball landed – Hiram had officially taken the lead and moved closer to its first win at Henry Field in 2023.
The collective team effort helped finish off the game; Hiram defended 6 corner kicks and 11 shots in the second half alone to hang on for the victory. The defense has held its opposition to just 3 goals over three home games this season.
Kovanda was proud of the group, moments after it had rung the bell to celebrate the critical win.
"This culture and this community these girls have built is just amazing," Kovanda said.
Hiram will next host Olivet on Saturday at 4 p.m. from Henry Field in Hiram, Ohio.
