PARKVILLE, Mo. —Park University women's soccer earned a 2-1 victory over Baker University on Wednesday, using a first-half goal from Maddy Farris and a late second-half finish from Hailey Peters to build a two-goal cushion before holding off the Wildcats' late push.
The Pirates controlled much of the attacking action, finishing with a 23-6 advantage in shots and a 5-2 edge in corner kicks. Baker made the closing minutes tense with a goal shortly after Peters doubled Park's lead, but the Pirates defended their advantage to close out the win.
The result moved Park to 4-8-2 overall and 4-5-2 in conference play, while Baker fell to 3-13-0 overall and 1-11-0 in conference action. Official box score
First Half: Farris Breaks Through Before the Break
Park established early pressure, earning a corner kick from Leticia Quadros at 2:54. Baker was flagged offside at 7:16 before Kylie Albright tested Park goalkeeper Frankie Williams with a shot on target at 9:54. Williams made the save to keep the match scoreless.
The Pirates continued to work forward. Leonie Schewe sent a shot wide at 15:18, and Quadros had an attempt blocked at 16:37. Baker earned its first corner kick at 17:31, but neither side found the breakthrough during the opening stretch.
Quadros remained active in the attack, sending another attempt high at 21:43 and wide at 29:09. Baker made substitutions around the half-hour mark, and Sophia Yorko forced another save from Williams at 32:40.
Park finally converted its pressure in the 39th minute. Farris scored at 38:07, putting the Pirates ahead 1-0 and recording the first goal of the match.
Park looked for a second before halftime, with Farris shooting wide at 42:06 and Preslee Zeigler sending an attempt high at 44:21. The Pirates carried their one-goal lead into the break.
Halftime: Park 1, Baker 0
Second Half: Peters Adds Insurance, Baker Answers
Park resumed the attack after halftime. Annabel Fawcett had an attempt blocked at 51:56 before putting a shot on target at 52:07, which Baker goalkeeper Sophia Holloway saved. Holloway also denied Aryana Rashidi at 55:54.
Quadros sent a shot wide at 58:13, and Park earned another corner at 59:34. Lilli Porsch followed with a wide attempt at 60:50 as the Pirates continued to press for a second goal.
Baker threatened in the middle portion of the half. Albright put a shot on target at 62:46, and Yorko forced another Williams save at 67:12. Park answered through Farris, whose 68:53 attempt was stopped by Holloway. Rashidi then sent a shot high at 70:17, followed by an Avery Bird attempt that sailed high at 72:58.
The Pirates' pressure paid off late. Bird forced a save from Holloway at 79:14, and Peters scored at 80:08 to give Park a 2-0 lead with less than 10 minutes remaining.
Baker responded almost immediately. Following a Wildcats corner kick at 80:33, Naomi Harris-Hyche scored at 81:04, finishing a pass from Albright to cut Park's advantage to 2-1.
The goal set up a tense finish. Park continued to create chances, with Farris forcing another save at 84:09 and Zeigler doing the same at 85:07. The Pirates earned additional corners at 84:17 and 85:41, while Muñiz and Vanessa Reyes-Moreno each had late attempts go wide.
Park kept Baker from finding an equalizer and saw out the final minutes to secure the 2-1 victory.
By the Numbers
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Shots: Park 23, Baker 6
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Shots on goal: Park 8, Baker 5
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Corner kicks: Park 5, Baker 2
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Saves: Park goalkeeper Frankie Williams 4; Baker goalkeeper Sophia Holloway 6
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Fouls: Park 8, Baker 5
Farris and Peters supplied the goals for Park, while Williams made four saves. Holloway recorded six saves for Baker as the Pirates' attacking volume ultimately proved decisive.
What's Next
Park will look to build on Wednesday's conference victory as the Pirates continue their 2026 women's soccer campaign.
