STEUBENVILLE, Ohio (Sept. 29) – The Waynesburg University women's soccer team opened Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) play on Wednesday, when it traveled to Franciscan. Freshman standout Haley Johnson (Somerset, Pa. / Rockwood) gave the Yellow Jackets a 1-0 lead in the second half, but the Barons rebounded to not only tie the score, but pull out a 2-1 victory.
 
After the two squads played 45 minutes of scoreless soccer heading into the halftime break, Johnson tallied her team-leading sixth goal of the season off assists from classmate Demaree Livingston (Willow Grove, Pa. / Upper Dublin) and junior Courtney Grove (Frederick, Md. / Frederick) in the 54^th minute.
 
The Yellow Jackets (4-4, 0-1) made the lead stand up 18 minutes before the Barons (4-3, 1-0) got the equalizer in the 72^nd minute. Midway through the 84^th minute, Franciscan managed to slip the go-ahead goal behind Waynesburg starting keeper Autumn Blair (Penn Hills, Pa. / Penn Hills). The Barons defense closed out the victory by keeping the Jackets from attempting another shot before the final seconds ticked off the game clock.
 
Though Waynesburg lost their third-straight to Franciscan, the game was much closer than last year's 3-0 defeat. Johnson's goal, which moved her into a tie for third in the PAC, gave the Jackets' their first lead over the Barons since 2018. Ironically, current assistant coach Teagan Jenner posted that tally, which was the golden goal in a 2-1 overtime win.
 
Blair played all 90 minutes and made a pair of saves in the loss.
 
Waynesburg held significant advantages in shots on goal (9-5) and corner kicks (5-1), couldn't use them to pick up a win.
 
The Jackets return to John F. Wiley Stadium on Saturday for a 6 p.m. conference showdown with Grove City.