THE RUNDOWN
The No. 15 DBU Women's Soccer team opened the 2025 season in commanding fashion, earning a 3-1 victory over Mississippi College on Thursday night at Patriot Soccer Field.

In their first-ever meeting against the Lady Choctaws, the Patriots overcame an early deficit with a relentless offensive surge, scoring three times in a span of just 27 minutes to seize control of the match.

Mississippi College struck first in the 11th minute when Vail Wartes found the back of the net. DBU wasted no time in answering, as senior defender Parker Coe scored just 61 seconds later. On their first corner kick attempt of the season, Anne Louthan picked up the assist when her shot was deflected and headed into the goal by Coe to knot the match at one apiece.

Momentum quickly swung in DBU's favor. Just two-and-a-half minutes later, newcomer Ashley Washburn, a transfer from Louisiana Monroe, made her presence felt. Washburn connected on a cross from McKenna Vela, sliding in front of the goal and finishing with her right foot to give the Patriots a 2-1 lead.

DBU would add an insurance goal before the halftime. With 6:28 left in the first half, Carly Gekas drew a foul inside the 18-yard box, setting up a penalty kick. Sophomore center back Kenzi Tufts calmly converted for her first career goal, pushing the Patriots' advantage to 3-1.

From there, the DBU defense and midfield controlled possession throughout the second half, limiting the Lady Choctaws to just three shot attempts after halftime to secure the win.

THREE THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW

• DBU has now won six consecutive season openers under head coach Marcus Wood.
• With her assist on Washburn's goal, McKenna Vela tallied her 15th career helper, moving within one of cracking the Patriots' all-time top 10.
• Parker Coe made her 62nd consecutive start and notched her ninth career goal in the process.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS
21 - DBU outshot Mississippi College by a decisive 21-4 margin.
90 - Skylar Belanger, Parker Coe, and Kenzi Tufts each logged the full 90 minutes anchoring the Patriots' back line.
6 – Six true freshmen made their collegiate debuts: Skylar Belanger, Sydney Hopper, Isabella Medina, Calla Schrock, Madeline Talkington, and Chandler Wheat.

HEAD COACH MARCUS WOOD & ASHLEY WASHBURN'S POSTGAME COMMENTS  


UP NEXT  
DBU returns to action on Saturday when the Patriots host Regis University. Game time is scheduled for 8:00 p.m.

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