OTTUMWA, IA – After a 17-month hiatus, Indian Hills women's soccer returned to the pitch Thursday for what will be the first of two seasons in 2021 calendar year.  The spring edition of the Warriors got things off to a positive start with a 5-0 victory over Southeastern at IHCC Field.

Coach Anthony Longo's fifth season at the helm began with his squad earning a No. 17 NJCAA Division I ranking, and if the opener was any indication, the Warriors may be worthy of the billing.

"We felt coming in that we were the better program and the better team, and the kids kind of showed it," Longo said.  "We were very comfortable right off the start, and moving the ball around, most importantly getting that quick one early was huge."

Freshman Ashlyn Haas got the scoring going with her first collegiate goal just 4:58 into the contest off a nifty pass from classmate Bailey Wiemann.  Less than three minutes later it was Wiemann's turn to find the back of the net off an assist from Risa Ogasawara, and the Warriors led 2-0 7:15 into the ICCAC battle.

"Getting on the board early was great for the team confidence, and we were able to build on that throughout the first half," Longo added. "We're a team that need to get out early and jump on teams.  Today was a good example of that."

Ogasawara keep the momentum rolling with her first tally of the season off a cross from Hope Ward in the 30^th minute to give IHCC a 3-0 lead which they would take into the halftime break.

"I saw a lot of great things from the forwards today," Longo added. "We are extremely young offensively, and it was great to see the three starters get on the scoring sheet.  I think the more comfortable they get with playing with each other, we'll see some pretty great things from that group."

The second stanza saw Haas netting her second goal of the contest in the 52^nd minute off another assist from Ogasawara to give the Warriors a 4-0 lead.  Sophomore K.J. Schmidt picked up her first career goal with 15:45 left on the clock off Wiemann's second assist of the game to hand IHCC a 5-0 lead.

Southeastern's offense mounted few threats throughout the battle as Warrior goalkeeper Lani Mears stopped the Blackhawks only two shots on goal.

"We were rock solid defensively," Longo said. "Apart from one mistake at the back late n the second half, we were never really threatened by SCC.  I think our athleticism and physicality on the back line will be essential for our success as the year goes on."

Despite the shutout victory, the Indian Hills headman knows there's things to work on going forward.

"I think we left a lot of goals on the table out there today," Longo explained. "We need to get a lot greedier.  I kind of like to call them the nicest forwards in the conference.  When our kids get the ball, they like to pass it to others and kind make sure everybody else is taken care of.  They've got to get more selfish.  They're in the lineup for a reason. They're good players, so I want to see them start taking a lot more chances."

Their first opportunity to take those chances is Sunday on the road in Mason City as the Warriors will take their 1-0 record up against NIACC.  Game time is set for 3 p.m. from NIACC Soccer Field.

"There's lots to look forward to with this team," Longo concluded.  "This was a step in the right direction.  Now we move on to a tricky road game with NIACC."

Scoring Summary

Period      Time     Play                                                        V-H

1^st            4:48      Ashlyn Hass (from Bailey Wiemann)          0-1

1^st            7:15      Wiemann (from Risa Ogasawara)              0-2

1^st           30:58     Ogasawara (from Hope Ward)                   0-3

2^nd          52:32     Hass (from Ogasawara)                            0-4

2^nd          74:15      K.J. Schmidt (from Wiemann)                   0-5