Trojans Secure Season Opener in Convincing Fashion

FORT WAYNE, Ind. – The Taylor University women's soccer team dazzled in Thursday's season opener, defeating Indiana Tech 6-0 as five different Trojans scored to help raise the curtain on the 2025 campaign.

TU (1-0-0) was formidable at the attacking end, sparked by Lydia Johnson's 41st-minute goal in her collegiate debut. Overall, the Trojans outpaced Indiana Tech in shots on goal 21-1 and did not allow the Warriors (0-1-0) to get a shot attempt off until the second half.

With the victory, TU registered its 11th straight win against Indiana Tech. The Trojans also improved to 5-0 at Warrior Athletic Field since 2016 while outscoring the Warriors 18-2 during that span.

The Trojan onslaught began just 90 seconds into the match with a close-range header attempt in the box, where TU sustained a weighty presence throughout the course of the night.

Johnson, a freshman from Charlotte, N.C., started strong and ripped four shots on target, including a clean one-on-one opportunity in the 19th minute. A familiar connection led to her goal as former high school teammate and fellow freshman Millie Jones came off the bench and dealt the assist on a terrific run down the right side. The possession began on a great field reversal by Brooke Cimini, who displayed pinpoint accuracy on several plays during the contest.

Among the early scoring opportunities, none were closer than Morgan Fletemeyer's through ball that bounced off the left post and nearly found its way into the net. The Trojans went into halftime with a slim 1-0 lead despite putting 10 shots on frame.

Eventually, TU buttoned things up and exploded for three goals in a span of less than 15 minutes following the stoppage. The Trojans tacked on two more toward the end of the match, closing with five total goals in the final 45 minutes of play.

Campbell Massey logged the second goal in the 54th minute, a perfect header that ricocheted off the crossbar after a corner kick sent in by Cimini. Less than a minute later, Eliza Luttrell made it 3-0, capping off a nice buildup and finishing an assist delivered by Sydney Reddy.

In the 60th minute, Cimini directed another corner toward the front of the net where the Indiana Tech keeper was unable to gain control of the cross as it deflected into the net. The own goal gave Cimini her second assist of the night – her second career multi-assist outing.

Kiana Siefert produced the next goal in the 67th minute, extending the lead to 5-0, after she one-timed a perfect cross sent by Leah McQuade just inside the left post.

McQuade then followed up with the final goal in the 81st minute as she finished with a team-high three points. Faith Sena was credited for the final assist.

TU goalkeeper Brianna Rawlings recorded one save in net for the Trojans, posting her fourth career shutout and improving her overall career record to 10-5-5. Indiana Tech's Madison Strain and Bre Wheatley combined for 15 saves.

The Trojans return to action this weekend when they kick off a season-long three-match homestand Saturday against Georgetown College. The match start time is set for 4 p.m. at Turner Stadium.