SPRINGFIELD - Freshman midfielder Sam Allen and junior midfielder Jon Buerge both had first-half goals as the Owls blanked the Crusaders to pick up their first win of the season Thursday afternoon.
Senior Iker Gonzalez recorded three saves and junior Ben Faherty had two in splitting time in goal to share the shutout for William Woods University (1-1).
Allen delivered an unassisted goal in the 30th minute to put the Owls on the scoreboard. Buerge then made it 2-0 when he scored off an assist from junior midfielder Guillermo Fernandez in the 37th minute.
William Woods edged Evangel University 12-10 in overall shots, including 6-5 in shots on goal. The Owls also had a slight 2-1 advantage in corner kicks.
William Woods travels to St. Louis for its American Midwest Conference opener against Harris-Stowe State University at 3:30 p.m. Saturday.