Women's Soccer | 9/23/2010 11:05:37 AM

Game Notes (PDF)

The Matchup
The McPherson College women’s soccer team continues a five-match road trip this weekend against Oklahoma Baptist University and Mid-American Christian University. The Bulldogs take on the Bison on Friday afternoon at 2:00 p.m. in Shawnee, Okla., before traveling to Oklahoma City, Okla., to play the Evangels at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday.

McPherson (3-2-1) is coming off its first loss in four matches against Rogers State University, 2-0. The Hillcats opened the scoring in the 13th minute, before adding an insurance goal in the 58th. Prior to Rogers State, the Bulldogs were riding a three match-winning streak, including victories against Manhattan Christian College, Briar Cliff University and Central Christian College. All three games ended in shutouts.

Forwards Haley Cook (Littleton, Colo.), Rachael Cornell (Colorado Springs, Colo.) and Amanda Aragon (Thornton, Colo.)lead a Bulldog offense that has only been held scoreless in one match this season. Aragon leads the trio with eight points on a career-best four goals, while Cornell sits in second with six points. Cook, the programs career leader in all offensive categories, act as the squad’s distributor with three assists.

Goalkeeper Molly Whitwell (Plano, Texas) leads a young backline that prior to Rogers State had recorded three consecutive shutouts. On the season, Whitwell holds a 1.049 goals against average and .829 save percentage. She has two shutouts.

Looking ahead, McPherson opens KCAC action on the road at the University of Saint Mary on Oct. 2. Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m. in Leavenworth, Kan.

Last week for the Bulldogs
McPherson went 1-1-0 last week, including a home win against Central Christian College. In Wednesday’s matchup with the Tigers, sophomore Amber McKinnon netted her first goal of the season in the 31st minute to propel the Bulldogs to a 1-0 victory over their cross-town rival. Haley Cook was credited with an assist on the play.

Saturday was not as kind to the Bulldogs as the team lost to Rogers State University, 2-0. The Hillcats outshot the Bulldogs 20-7. Cook led the team with three shots, including two on goal.

Scouting OBU
The Bison (1-3-1) have struggled through the first five matches of their 2010 season, registering just one win at Montreat College (N.C.), 4-0, on Sept. 3. Since their season opening win, OBU has scored just two goals, while allowing six.

Freshman midfielder Elisa Brito leads the team with seven points on the season. The Rio de Janeiro, Brazil native, has recorded two goals, while assisting on three. Junior forward Courtney Anderson ranks second on the team with four points on two goals.

Defensively, goalkeeper Sarah Robinson owns a 1.150 goals against average and .727 save percentage. The junior from Waco, Texas, has made 16 saves on the year.

Mike White is in his first season as the head women’s soccer coach for the Oklahoma Baptists University Bison. He had previously been the assistant coach the past two seasons.

Scouting Mid-America Christian
The Evangels (6-0-0) are off to the best start in program history and currently riding a six-match win streak. On the season, MACU have won by at least a three-goal margin three times, including their most recent win against Southwestern College, 7-0.

Sophomore midfielder Julia Nimal leads a potent Evangel offense that has outscored opponents 24-1, while tallying a team total of 151 shots. Nimal has recorded seven goals and one assist on the year for a team-best 15 points. She ranks fourth nationally in shots per game (7.0) and sixth in goals per game (4.2).

Goalkeeper Melissa Dobie orchestrates a back line that has allowed just one goal on the season. In 495:00 minutes of action, Dobie has conceded just one goal, while recording 23 saves. Her 0.18 goals against average ranks fourth nationally.

Head coach Zach Bice is in his fifth season at the head coach of the MACU women’s soccer program.