Game 1: Berea Ties Asbury 2–2
Berea began the week traveling to Wilmore, Kentucky on October 1st to battle Asbury University to a 2–2 draw. Forward
Tobore Takpor powered the Mountaineers' offense with both goals— the first coming in the 31st minute to tie the score 1-1 before halftime and another goal just two minutes into the second half to give Berea the lead. Despite a late penalty kick from Asbury's Eli Redpath (72'), Berea held firm to secure a 2-2 tie.
Marcus Bishop made four saves while the team would generate 11 shots and 0 corner kicks compared to the 15 shots and 11 corner kicks from Asbury.
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Game 2: Berea Falls to Bluffton 2–0
The Mountaineers returned home on October 4 to host an HCAC opener against Bluffton University. Berea fought tirelessly to control possession and even outshot the Beavers 11–10 but could not find the net in a 2–0 defeat. Bluffton broke through with goals from Jaden Ngufor in the 56th minute and Leonardo Campos in the 73rd.
Eris Acosta recorded four saves, while
Ombeni Shandera and
Kushal Phuyel each tested the Bluffton goalkeeper. A physical game all around would result in 4 yellow cards and second-half red card, which forced Berea to finish short-handed. Both teams ended with 11+ foulsÂ
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Game 3: Berea Dominates MUW 7–0
Concluding the week on October 5 at the Berea Sports Complex, the Mountaineers dominated Mississippi University for Women (MUW) in route to a 7–0 victory, marking their first win of the season, and the first win under Head Coach Xavier Tomlin. Berea exploded early offensively with two goals from
Tobore Takpor.
Tomas Gonzaga would also place two goals in the net followed by one goal each fromÂ
Kushal Phuyel,
Ahna Watt, and
Miles Case. Both
Miles Case and
Ahna Watt would find their first goals of their career in this game.
Carlos Field-Bennett would tally two assists, and both
Dody Kenas and
Peter Mensah added one. Berea outshot MUW 30–3 and led 7–6 in corner kicks.
Marcus Bishop and
Jadd Rogers shared the clean sheet in a complete team performance.
The Mountaineers travel to Lexington, Kentucky, to face Transylvania University on Wednesday, October 8, at 7:00 p.m. in HCAC action.