Owls, Balducci bury Stephens 5-0

After William Woods defeated Stephens 5-0 on Tuesday, the Owls have now won five straight games while outscoring its opponents 18-3.

The Owls (8-4-1, 4-2 AMC) defeated applied the pressure early against Stephens at home by scoring with 1:43 on the clock. That goal was by Sydney Balducci, who scored twice more for her first career hat trick and to have six goals in three games.

William Woods had a 2-0 halftime lead after a McKenzie Gourley successful penalty kick in the 14th minute after assisting in Balducci's first goal.

In the second half, the Owls didn't relent as they added 16 more shots to their 11 first-half shots while Stephens (7-7, 3-3 AMC) finished with five for the game. Balducci secured her hat trick after scoring off an Abby Prather-Turner assist in the 57th minute and another Gourley feed in the 66th minute.

The Owls scored their fifth goal and second off a penalty kick off the foot of Brianna Morrow in the 74th minute, giving the senior defender her first collegiate goal after not having one in her previous 59 games.

Michyla Handley played 70 minutes in goal and recorded two saves while Belle Boschert finished the game not having to make a single stop.

William Woods plays on the road again at 4 p.m. Saturday against Missouri Baptist.