Women's Soccer | 9/19/2011 11:49:00 AM
Match 7: McPherson College (2-4-0, 0-0-0 KCAC) at Fort Hays State University (1-4-1, 0-1-0 MIAA)
Tuesday, September 20, 2011 | 8 p.m. (CST) | Hays, Kan. | FSHU Soccer Stadium
Match 8: McPherson College (2-4-0, 0-0-0, KCAC) vs. Oklahoma Wesleyan University (5-3-0, 0-0-0 MCAC)
Saturday, September 24, 2011 | 1:30 p.m. (CST) | McPherson, Kan. | McPherson Stadium
McPherson, Kan. – The McPherson College women’s soccer team enters its final full week of non-conference action with a road trip to Fort Hays State University on Tuesday, before returning home on Saturday to host Oklahoma Wesleyan University. Tuesday’s matchup with the Tigers is scheduled for an 8 p.m. (CST) kickoff at the FSHU Soccer Stadium.
The Bulldogs are currently tied for fifth in the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference standings with a 2-4-0 overall record, while Fort Hays is 1-4-1 overall and 0-1-0 in the MIAA, and Oklahoma Wesleyan is 5-3-0.
McPherson is coming off a rollercoaster week that saw them dominate possession against Manhattan Christian College, but struggle to create offensive opportunities against Mid-America Christian University. The Bulldogs scored a much needed win on Wednesday night when they posted two second half goals and 36 total shots to defeat Manhattan Christian, but failed to carry that momentum into the weekend matchup with the Evangels. McPherson found the early lead with a 32nd minute goal from Rachael Cornell, but MACU answered with two of their own to claim the victory.
Freshman forward Geneva Gray continues to offer an offensive spark off the bench for the Bulldogs. She currently leads the team with six points on three goals, while Cornell is two points behind with four.
Junior goalkeeper Molly Whitwell has started all six games between the pipes for the Bulldogs, owning a 2.08 goals against average and .782 save percentage.
Following the Tigers and Eagles, McPherson travels across town to play its final non-conference match with Central Christian College on Wednesday, Sept. 28, before opening KCAC play against the University of Saint Mary on Saturday, Oct. 1.
Scouting Fort Hays
- 2011-12 marks the inaugural season for women’s soccer at Fort Hays
- Entering the week, Fort Hays is riding a five match winless streak and holds a 1-4-1 overall record and 0-1-0 mark in MIAA play
- The Tigers have been outscored by opponents 9-5 in their six games
- Fort Hays owns a 80-64 shot advantage on the season.
- Joanne Glynn leads the team with two goals and is one of two Tigers with double-digit shots on the season (12).
- Cindy Benitez leads FHSU with two assists and 29 shots on the season.
- Goalkeeper Kelsey Grey has started all six matches, owning a 1.44 goals against average and .763 save percentage.
- Head coach Craig Shaw is in his first season with the Tigers. He previously coached three seasons at Ottawa University.
Scouting Oklahoma Wesleyan
- The Eagles have won five of their last six matches, including a 3-2 victory against Bacone (Okla.) to earn a 5-3-0 overall record entering the week.
- OWU average 1.88 goals per game and has scored multiple times in six out of eight matches this season.
- The Eagles hold a slight, 98-95, advantage in total shots including a 51-38 edge in the second period.
- Libby Storie leads the team with 12 points on five goals and two assists, while Amber Brown-Longoria is second on the squad with eight points, including a team-high four assists.
- Goalkeeper Savannah Longoria has made 18 saves in five starts in goal. She owns a.880 goals against average and .720 save percentage on the season
