STEUBENVILLE, Ohio–A new formation and a difficult playing surface didn't slow down Lady Baron soccer for long as Franciscan scored three goals in the second half of a 4-0 win over Chatham University.

FUS broke in a new formation from what they've used in previous seasons. Head Coach Clare McBane said the team spent most of the first half learning how to use it properly even though senior forward Jordan Byrley was able to score off a corner kick early in the game.

"The first half they were almost getting it. Every pass was almost getting where it needed to be. Every touch was almost what we needed," McBane said. "We came out in the second half and took everything we couldn't get quite right in the first half and turned it around."

That turnaround led to three goals in fifteen minutes of game time; a good sign for the new formation.

"I'm really proud of them. I was nervous and I know that they were nervous.  It's a tricky formation," McBane said. "The girls really proved to us coaches and to themselves that they are both smart enough and talented enough to make it work."

Not only did the new formation work but the Lady Baron also showcased an unexpected adeptness for finishing off of crosses and corner kicks. Franciscan's second goal also came from a corner with sophomore midfielder finding the net after settling senior Ashley Ruttencutter's cross.

"I don't know that we scored on a corner kick all of last year," McBane said. "We just got bold. Its definitely a strength now."

After last season's leading scorer, junior forward Hannah Cooke, scored on a breakaway goal to put FUS up by one, Franciscan again flexed its newfound aerial muscle. This time the goal came off the head of freshman Megan Riederer. The header goal was Riederer's first touch of a soccer ball in NCAA competition.

The cross for Riederer's goal came from team captain, forward Julia Cocozza, who along with her sister Katie, at attacking center-mid, formed a dynamic duo in the middle of the team's formation.

"The Cocozza connection is what really clicked for us in the second half," McBane said. "While Julia didn't score any goals, she was involved on every offensive attack."

The offensive performance may have stolen the show but senior goalkeeper Michelle Volk made a couple of key saves playing for injured starting goalie Mallory Garthwaite.

"Volk was phenomenal," McBane said. "She faced some serious saves and not once did I think the ball was going in."

Between a clean slate from Volk, a newfound offensive skill, and proof of a formation's effectiveness, the game went about as well as possible for the Lady Barons. McBane, however, was quick to keep the win in perspective.

"With this is as a non-conference game, it is not an end-all-be-all situation but it was a step in the right direction," McBane said. "It gave them all the confidence they need to train well for the next game."

That next game will be played on the road as well with the Lady Barons traveling to Waynesburg University on Sep. 2 for a 6:30 pm start.