TERRE HAUTE, IND. – A timely goal and a gritty defense gave the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology women's soccer team its 11th shutout of the season and the Engineers' fifth Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference victory in Tuesday's 1-0 win over Franklin College.
Rose-Hulman (9-3-4, 5-1) remained in second place in the HCAC standings with the win, which sets up an important league showdown with conference leader Hanover College (5-0-1) on Saturday.
Sophomore Helena Bomber (Bargersville, Ind./Center Grove) struck for her first goal of her career in the 51st minute, completing a strong offensive piece by the Engineers. Sophomore Mallory McDevitt (Wapakoneta, Ohio/Wapakoneta) started the play, bringing the ball down the left side of the field to the offensive corner. She pushed the ball inside to senior Cassie Cox (Louisville, Ky./Manual), who passed it off to classmate Nicky Wheeler (Avon, Ind./Avon).
Wheeler's try at a cross was deflected by the Franklin defense right to the foot of a rushing Bomber, who drilled the ball to the left side of the goal to give the Engineers the game winner.
Rose-Hulman sophomore goalkeeper Lucinda Combs (Danville, Ky./Boyle County) continued to build upon her school record in shutouts (11) and recorded four saves in the win, including a crucial takeaway near the far post in the 33rd minute. She currently leads the HCAC in both save percentage and goals-against average.
Franklin dropped to 8-7, 2-4 with the loss.
The Engineers return to play Saturday for a 1 p.m. contest with Hanover.
