PAINESVILLE, Ohio -- The Lake Erie women's soccer team (7-3-3) battled against the 3-8-2 Tiffin Dragons on a cold October night, emerging with a 2-1 victory. Tiffin got on the board in just six minutes, but the Storm responded in a big way, scoring twice in the 26th and 28th minutes to take a 2-1 lead into halftime. Despite an entertaining second period, neither side was able to add to the score, and the Storm picked up their eighth win of the season — surpassing their total number of wins from the past three seasons combined (7). It's a clear sign of a shifting tide for this program under coach Carl Contrascier.
Now with a record of 8-3-3, the Storm's win vaulted them past both Thomas More and Northwood into fourth place in the conference standings — a spot that would host a quarterfinal playoff game. Thursday was a dream scenario for Lake Erie, as Cedarville (#3) and Northwood (previously #4) tied, granting each side just one conference point instead of three for a win. Additionally, previously fifth-place Thomas More lost on the road to a 1-7-1 Ursuline squad, and Malone, who was nipping at Lake Erie's heels in seventh, lost at home to a 1-5-3 Ohio Dominican team.
Lake Erie will look to earn its second win over Malone this season when the Pioneers visit Painesville for a 7 p.m. matchup on Saturday.
Game Recap
In a game delayed due to hail, both teams expected some early sloppiness — but that wasn't the case for the Dragons, who scored their conference-low sixth goal of the season in just six minutes against a strong Storm defense. Lake Erie didn't let it shake them, though. They buckled down, allowing just one more shot on target the rest of the way, which goalkeeper Morgan Vanmeter handled easily in the second period.
Offensively, the Storm were firing on all cylinders in the first half, taking nine shots — tying their season high in conference play and totaling three more than they'd managed in their previous two matches combined. In the 26th minute, Pauline Passarge fired a shot from distance that was saved but not secured by the Dragons' keeper, allowing Makena Sanom to swoop in and score her first collegiate goal — and it couldn't have come at a better time. Just two minutes later, Arielle Fink notched her third assist of the year, finding Leonie Witt for her fourth goal of the season. While two more shots came before halftime, neither required a save, and the Storm entered the break up 2-1.
The second-half game plan was simple: protect the lead at all costs. The Storm shifted from nine first-half shots to zero in the second, preferring to stay disciplined, play conservatively, and smother Tiffin's advances. The approach worked to perfection, as they burned clock and forced the Dragons into desperation attempts that rarely threatened. Ultimately, the Storm defense put on another clinic — a unit that has drastically improved from years past.
The Matchup
These programs share an interesting history. From their first meeting in 2009, Tiffin opened the series 7-0 against the Storm. But from 2014–2019, Lake Erie never lost in six straight matches, closing the gap to 5-7-1. Tiffin then rattled off four consecutive wins before the Storm earned a dominant 3-0 victory at home last year, powered by two goals from Leonie Witt and one from Ainsley MacKenzie. That momentum carried into tonight's matchup, where Lake Erie improved the all-time series to 7-11-1, still in favor of the Dragons.
Looking Ahead
With just four games left, the Storm will look to finish strong and secure a top spot in the G-MAC standings. After Thursday's results — Lake Erie winning, Cedarville and Northwood tying, Thomas More and Malone both losing — the Storm sit in fourth place. With only the top six teams making the tournament, every game is crucial from here on out, beginning at home against Malone on Saturday, October 23rd at 7 p.m.
In their earlier meeting this season in Canton, Lake Erie earned a tough 1-0 win, with Leonie Witt's 22nd-minute strike standing as the difference. A win this weekend would practically guarantee the Storm a playoff berth, as 2-5-3 Ohio Dominican would need to win their final four games and Lake Erie would have to lose their last three just to tie them with 21 conference points. It's looking good for the Storm if they can take care of business on Saturday.
Despite scoring a respectable 14 goals this season (9th in the G-MAC), Malone has attempted easily the fewest total shots, sitting at just 96 — a staggering 25 fewer than the next lowest team, Kentucky Wesleyan. The Pioneers are led by senior Brynn Mowrer, who has a team-high six goals (T-3rd in the G-MAC), three more than her next-closest teammate.
