Women’s Soccer Caps Senior Day and Homecoming with Win over Maranatha

Women’s Soccer Caps Senior Day and Homecoming with Win over Maranatha
October 10, 2022

ANKENY, Iowa—To say the Faith Eagles women's soccer team had a blast in their Homecoming and Senior Day win over Maranatha would be an understatement. The game began with the recognition of two of the most accomplished senior soccer players to ever play the sport at Faith, followed by an unfurling of a huge American flag on the field for the national anthem, capped off with a blast from an actual howitzer fired by Dr. Tillotson and the Iowa National Guard.

It was a memorable day for sure.

A huge crowd was on-hand on a breezy, but gorgeous fall afternoon for Homecoming action against the Maranatha Baptist University Sabercats. Prior to the announcement of the starting lineups, Faith honored two seniors who have made large contributions to the women's soccer program: Abigail Speichinger and Kristin Yuan. Yuan was named a Second Team All-American in 2020 and 2021 and First Team All-Region performer in 2020 and 2021. Speichinger was named a Second Team All-American in 2019 and 2020 and a First Team All-Region performer in 2019 and 2020. Both have helped lead the Eagles to two national tournament appearances in the last four seasons.

After an emotional introduction of the seniors, the team turned their attention to the Sabercats—a team Faith has had good success against recently, with a record of 3-1-1 in the last two seasons leading up to this matchup.

The game was a tossup for the first 45 minutes. The Eagles outshot the Sabercats 12-0 in the first half, but couldn't get one past Maranatha's talented goalie, Mallory Willette.

In the second half, the Eagles broke through at the 51:42 mark with a goal by freshman Kayla Stephens, assisted by Abigail Speichinger. The goal was the only one that was needed as Faith finished the shutout for the 1-0 Homecoming victory.

With the win, Faith has now won four of its last six games, bringing their record to 4-6 overall. The surging Eagles square off against Spurgeon College on Tuesday, October 11. Game time is 2 p.m. in Ankeny.