WOMEN’S SOCCER

Senior Elana McGinnis delivered a two-goal masterclass on Wednesday evening at King Stadium, propelling the Huntington women’s soccer team to a decisive 2-0 victory over Mount Vernon Nazarene in the regular-season finale for both squads.

With both teams entering the night level in the Crossroads League standings, the stakes were clear: the winner would lock up the No. 7 seed in the upcoming Crossroads League Tournament, while the loser would drop into the No. 8 spot. Behind McGinnis’ finishing and a stingy defensive effort, the Foresters seized control to claim seventh position heading into postseason play.

The victory moves Huntington to 8-6-1 overall (3-6 CL) on the year, securing the program’s highest single-season win total since 2017 when HU finished 10-8-2. Mount Vernon Nazarene slips to 5-9-2 overall and 2-7 in league action.

The Foresters controlled the tempo throughout the contest, outshooting the Cougars 22-8 on the night and putting 12 shots on frame to MVNU’s five.

Huntington broke through in the 31st minute courtesy of an electric piece of individual brilliance from senior Jianna Simons. Simons collected possession and went on a relentless run, slicing through the midfield for more than half the length of the pitch before slipping a pinpoint pass to a streaking McGinnis. Left with only the keeper to beat, McGinnis calmly slotted her strike into the side netting at the 30:44 mark to put HU on top 1-0.

Eight minutes into the second half, McGinnis struck again to double the advantage. Following a throw-in, senior Sophie Shepherd whipped a cross into the penalty box to find a waiting McGinnis, who buried it for her second tally of the night in the 54th minute (53:09).

While Shepherd and Payton Toth have anchored the HU attack all autumn – combining for 19 of the team’s 35 goals with 10 and nine, respectively, Wednesday belonged squarely to McGinnis. Her pair of strikes lifted her season tally to three and pushed her three-year Forester career total to 11.

At the other end of the pitch, junior goalkeeper Macie Sanders stood tall across 90 minutes of action. Sanders collected five saves to preserve the clean sheet, anchoring a defensive unit that kept the Cougars off the scoreboard and extended MVNU’s scoreless drought dating back to early October.

THOUGHTS FROM COACH KEATON ALBERT
“I’m proud of the grit, the fight, and the production tonight. This win secured a winning record on the season for the first time since 2017. This team also accomplished something different in the story by only losing one game at home – to a top 10 team in the national by one goal.

“It’s crazy to be at the end of the season because I feel sometimes we are just starting. That’s how special this group has been. I’m proud to be apart of this family and journey in all the ups and downs. Tonight they made their University, community, and coach proud. Tuesday we face an energized and physical opponent. We are ready to leave it and the result on the field and in God’s hands.”

UP NEXT
Seventh-seeded Huntington turns its attention to the postseason, traveling to face second-seeded Spring Arbor University in the Crossroads League Tournament quarterfinals on Tuesday, November 3. Kickoff to be determined.