Hanover, IN - The Hanover College Panthers (4-2-0) hosted the Golden Eagles of Spalding University (5-1-1) in a non-conference contest today.

HC got off to an incredibly hot start possessing the ball very well, and put up 5 total shots in the first fifteen minutes of action. The Panthers were in full control of the game even when the ball wasn't at their feet because of their ability to play so well as an eleven-person unit all across the field - pressing together at every angle and forcing Spaulding to have to play a bit faster than they appeared to be liking.

Hanover's pace and intensity seemed to be increasing with each minute that went by. With their momentum in full-swing, senior forward Beth Cook surgically navigated the Golden Eagle defense and played a fantastic ball through two defenders to fifth-year forward Callen Johnson who buried one bar-down for what felt like an inevitable first goal for the Panthers just inside the twenty minute mark.

The Panthers just continued to apply non-stop pressure to the Spaulding defensive unit as the period went on, and their hustle kept paying dividends. Junior forward Lauren Rainbolt gained possession of the ball between the Hanover box and the midfield line and dribbled her way through the middle of the field. "Bolt" then laid the ball out at the feet of teammate and sophomore midfielder Cam Horsley who would go on to stat her first assist of the 2024 season by leading senior forward Beth Cook who beat the keeper with just a feathers touch.

Hanover would close out the half with 14 total shots, 6 of them being on frame, and leading 2-0 over Spalding.

After an extended half-time due to weather conditions, the Panthers picked up right where the left off. Their sideline was electric from the very start of the second period, bleeding infectious energy to their teammates out in the field of play. Senior back Clara Finneseth made sure to capitalize on early opening in the Spalding defense, finding and assisting senior forward Beth Cook for her second goal of the contest.

With the score now 3-0, the Golden Eagles were playing with a renewed sense of urgency. Pressing an attack and able to keep the ball down in the HC defensive zone for extended periods of time, sophomore forward Tannar Beermann was able to place on just inside the pipe in the bottom left corner past the Panthers goalkeeper, cutting the lead down to just two.

The Panthers responded quickly with another goal of their own with a goal by senior midfielder Nora Luwig, once again making it a three goal game at 4-1 with just over twenty minutes left in the second half.

Hanover would add one more goal by the feet of sophomore forward Ally Byrd on the assist by fifth-year forward Bri Matis before the game was called with ten minutes left in regulation due to weather.

HC went on to take this one in dominant fashion at 5-1, controlling every aspect of the contest. The ladies will be back in action this Saturday the 28th on the road at Anderson University at 1:00PM EST.