LAMONI, Iowa — The Graceland University women's soccer team scored three second-half goals and delivered one of its most complete performances of the season on Saturday afternoon, earning a 3–0 win over Baker University in Heart of America Athletic Conference action at Mediacom Stadium.

With the result, Graceland improves to 5-7-3 overall and 2-6-2 in HAAC play, while Baker drops to 3-7-4 overall and 2-5-3 in the conference.

The Yellowjackets dominated in total chances and defended effectively in both halves, outshooting the Wildcats 15–3 overall, including 13–2 in shots on goal. Graceland also earned four corner kicks and limited Baker to just three total shots and five set pieces.

"We're very proud of the ladies tonight," said Head Coach Randall Porter. "I thought we played a complete game — defended well and scored some good goals."

Match Summary
After a scoreless first half that saw Graceland control most of the possession and tempo, the Yellowjackets broke through early in the second half. In the 48th minute, junior midfielder Sierra Flores pressed into the penalty area and finished from close range after receiving a pass from Mariam El Mir Tartouri, who logged her second assist of the season. The goal was Flores' first of the campaign and gave Graceland a 1–0 lead.

Graceland continued to press forward and doubled the lead in the 67th minute, when sophomore forward Grace Eltiste capitalized on a defensive clearance and tucked her shot inside the far post to make it 2–0. Eltiste's finish was unassisted and marked the first goal of her collegiate career.

The scoring was capped in the 75th minute, as El Mir Tartou netted her second goal of the season. After creating space outside the 18-yard box, she connected on a left-footed strike that beat the keeper at the near post. Chloe Montera was credited with the assist, her first of the year, after finding El Mir Tartou in space just before the goal.

Graceland held possession for the majority of the remaining minutes and prevented Baker from mounting any serious attacking threat down the stretch. The Yellowjackets' back line effectively cleared all service into the box, and goalkeeper Maggie Peterson recorded her second shutout of the year.

Team Statistics
Graceland posted a 15–3 advantage in total shots, and a 13–2 edge in shots on goal. The Yellowjackets forced Baker's starting goalkeeper Sophia Holloway to make 10 saves, six of which came in the first half.

Graceland generated early pressure with seven first-half shots and created two set-piece opportunities with consecutive corner kicks in the 37th minute. In the second half, the Yellowjackets fired eight more shots, including three goals on six shots on frame.

Peterson, who played all 90 minutes in goal, faced just two shots on target and made two saves, including a stop on Baker's Darcy Cato in the 35th minute and Stella Jameson in the 58th. The defensive back line — including Mackenzie Ralston, Addison Fletcher, Mackenzie Melrose, and Caitlin Lageman — helped limit Baker's chances and kept the visitors without a corner kick in the final 15 minutes.

Flores led Graceland offensively with five shots, four on target, while El Mir Tartoui added three shots, one goal, and one assist. Montera and Lageman also each contributed a shot on goal, with Montera adding an assist.

First Half Control Leads to Second Half Breakthrough
Despite entering halftime scoreless, the Yellowjackets were firmly in control for much of the opening 45 minutes. Graceland's first shot on goal came in the third minute from Wissal Rafik, followed by attempts from Lageman, Tessa Cook, and El Mir Tartou within the first 15 minutes. Holloway made four saves in that span, including a point-blank effort in the 13th minute.

Graceland's midfield trio of Flores, Angelika Laginova, and El Mir Tartou combined well through the center third, forcing Baker into several fouls and rushed clearances. The Yellowjackets also made strategic substitutions late in the half to maintain pace and control of possession.

In the second half, Graceland's passing sequences improved in the final third, and the pressing led to turnovers that produced direct scoring opportunities. Two of Graceland's three goals were assisted and came from coordinated attacking play — both initiated by midfield build-up and sharp decision-making in space.

Second Clean Sheet of the Season
The win marked Graceland's second clean sheet in the 2025 campaign, and the first since a scoreless draw at Mount Mercy on Sept. 21. The Yellowjackets have now allowed one goal or fewer in four of their last five matches.

Peterson, a sophomore, improved her save total to 55 on the season, and lowered her goals-against average to 1.88. Graceland's back four remained organized throughout, clearing long balls and neutralizing Baker's limited movement up top. The Wildcats managed just three shots in the match, and only one attempt inside the 18-yard box.

Quote from Coach Porter
"I'm very proud of the ladies tonight," said Porter. "I thought we played a complete game, defended well, scored some good goals."

Graceland also saw positive contributions from first-year players Grace Eltiste, who scored her first career goal, and Rebecca Cox, who logged minutes late in the second half. The bench provided fresh legs and helped close out the result with high energy in the final 10 minutes.

Up Next
Graceland will return to conference action next week on the road as the Yellowjackets face Clarke University on Tuesday, Oct. 21 at 5:00 p.m. CDT. The match will take place at Burrows Field in Dubuque, Iowa. Clarke enters the contest in the top half of the HAAC standings, and the Yellowjackets will aim to build on their recent form and earn a second consecutive win.

For more information on Graceland women's soccer and all Graceland athletics, visit GUjackets.com