FRANKLIN, Ind. – The Hanover women's soccer team went on the road Wednesday evening, defeating the defending Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference champions, Franklin, by a final count of 4-2.

The Panthers (9-1-0, 2-0-0 HCAC) scored three second half goals to win their ninth straight match this fall, a stretch that began the opening weekend of the season. Hanover also earned its first win over Franklin since the 2016 HCAC Tournament finals. The Grizzlies' setback drops them to 4-6-1 overall and 1-1-0 in the HCAC.

Four different Hanover players scored in the match, with three of them, senior Cassidy Evanson (Carmel, Ind.), junior Brandi Brock (Cincinnati, Ohio) and freshman Ruby Kate Gray (Lexington, Ky.), tallying a goal for the second straight outing. The fourth goal came from freshman Anna Smith (Cincinnati, Ohio), who tied Gray for the team-high point total Wednesday with three.

Evanson got the Panthers on the board early, tallying her fourth goal of the season in the seventh minute. Smith picked up the assist on the score, improving her team-high season point total to 16.

Freshman goalkeeper Amanda Carmosino (Noblesville, Ind.) made two saves in the first half, the 12th and 39th minutes, to preserve the 1-0 lead at the intermission. Gray and junior Maisyn Garland (Rochester, Ill.) each had a shot on goal but the Grizzlies' netminder would turn both attempts away.

Junior Abby Howes (Terre Haute, Ind.) tried to get HC its second goal of the match just over one minute out of the break, but her shot was saved. Hanover though, was rewarded for their relentless effort to start the second half, as Gray found the back of the net in the 49th minute off a pass from classmate Autumn Boothby (Mount Orab, Ohio).

Franklin was able to pull within one, 2-1, in the 58th minute. Brock and the Panthers responded though with another score in the 63rd minute. Freshman Maggie Day (Sellersburg, Ind.) picked up the assist on the Brock goal, as HC led 3-1 with just under 30 minutes remaining.

Again, the Grizzlies rallied to close the Blue and Red advantage to one, 3-2. Carmosino made two saves with the two-goal advantage, but Franklin received its second goal of the contest in the 77th minute.

Smith then gave the Panthers a comfortable two-goal lead late, tallying her sixth score of the season at the 84:06 mark. Gray earned the assist on what would be the final goal of the night.

Overall, Franklin held a 12-10 advantage in total shots. Hanover however, had the more quality looks, holding an 8-6 edge in shots on goal. The Blue and Red were also favored in corner kicks, 5-3.

The Panthers will look to stay unbeaten in conference play with a 1 p.m. match at Earlham, Saturday, Oct. 6.

Contact: Tyler Jester

jestert@hanover.edu