ATCHISON, Kan. - Squaring off against a Benedictine College squad that advanced to the Heart of America Athletic Conference championship in 2025, Ottawa found itself trailing early against the Ravens. The Braves tried to battle back in the middle third of the match, but fell 6-0 to the Ravens.
Benedictine was quick off the mark, scoring three goals in the opening 15 minutes of the match. Payton Vogelbacher struck first for the Ravens, converting on a pass from Jenna Wilken with just 43 seconds elapsed. The pair traded places on the scoresheet three minute later, as Vogelbacher assisted Wilken for a 2-0 lead. Wilken picked up a second assist in the 14th minute, feeding Patsy O'Brien.
The match settled down a bit, with Ottawa able to eventually find a bit of rhythm.
In the 35th minute,
Laura Quijada created a great chance as she bodied up a Raven defender, forcing a turnover. She was able to turn and loose a shot toward the far post, but it was blocked by a recovering defender.
Ottawa came out with much better pressure after the halftime break, with
Maya Ramirez testing Benedictine's keeper Emma Smith in the 56th minute. Ramirez collected the ball off a pass and cut through traffic into the left side before unleashing a shot toward the top corner. Smith was able to make the save and keep Ottawa off the board.
The Braves dodged a bullet in the 62nd minute as Benedictine brought the ball down the right side of the field and sent a cross to the feet of Vogelbacher at the penalty spot with lots of options. Vogelbacher mishit the ball, however, spraying it harmlessly wide.
A strong decision by second-half substitute
Makena Tapia forced another miss by Benedictine in the 63rd, as Jenna Wilken was played through one on one. Tapia raced off her line to cut down the options, forcing Wilken to hit a shot to the right.
Coming out of a hydration break in the second half, Ottawa found itself on its heels quickly as Benedictine scored two goals within 30 seconds of the resumption of play. Vogelbacher collected her second goal of the match in the 69th minute, with Brynn Carroll scoring 18 seconds later in the 70th.
Ottawa has next week off and will open the home portion of its schedule as it closes out non-conference play on Saturday, Sept. 12. The Braves kickoff against Mission University at 1 p.m. to mark their return to the Dick Peters Sports Complex.
