Ward's late goal powers the Pride to 1-0 victory over Baker

DUBUQUE, Iowa - Looking to stay unbeaten through their first six Heart of America Athletic Conference games, the Clarke University women's soccer team seemed to have that in hand but also was able to pull off a 1-0 win over Baker University on Saturday night at Burrows Field.

A large majority of the game stayed at a 0-0 dead heat for over 80 minutes of the game despite the Pride's best effort to pepper BU keeper Avery Young with 29 total shots in the game and 13 shots on goal for Young to make 12 saves on those 13 shots on frame.

Some of the closest calls to break the tie for CU came in the second half and a lot came off of corner kick opportunites, as Clarke would have 11 corner kicks throughout the game including six second half corner kicks that produced three shots that were all either wide or blocked by Wildcat defenders then a final opportunity for Hailey Packer that was saved by Young.

The last of those 11 corner kicks proved to be the most vital as senior midfielder stepped to the ball at the corner with under nine minutes remaining and served a ball to the far post where senior defender Hope Ward found open positioning to connect on an aerial kick that trickled over the goal line to give the Pride the lead in the 82nd minute of the game.

Still with over eight minutes to hold their one-goal lead, Baker put on their final push with a dangerous shot attempt from Emma Schieber that was the toughest test for Clarke goalie Faith Krapfl as she was able to get a hand on it to redirect it over the cross bar for her fourth save of the game.

Clarke women's soccer will remain at home for both of their games next week, starting with their final non-conference matchup of the season when they welcome William Woods University for a 4:00 p.m. CT kickoff against the Owls at Burrows Field on Tuesday, Oct. 8.