McPherson, Kan. – After trailing 2-0 shortly after the halftime break, the MC women's soccer team pushed back and were able to get one goal but the Central Christian College Tigers held on for the 2-1 win in the annual "Battle for McPherson." The Bulldogs are now 4-3 on the year.
"I certainly don't want to take anything away from a much improved Central team but boy it's hard to play 14 vs. 11," said Coach Quint. "Our ladies kept playing and did some things well. We just made a couple of key mistakes that cost us."
The shots started early for both teams on Wednesday as they traded jabs in the early stages of the contest. In the 28th minute, the Lady Tigers broke the scoring silence. Mac had two more shots saved by CCC in the final five minutes but were unable to connect, heading into halftime down 1-0. The 'Dogs took eight shots with three going on target in the opening 45.
Central scored less than two minutes into the second half, doubling their lead. McPherson pushed back, taking four shots in the next ten minutes but again were unsuccessful. The Bulldogs finally got on the board in the 62nd minute as Amy Stockton scored off a Rhea Vale assist, cutting the deficit in half. MC bombarded the Central goalie down the stretch, taking seven shot in the final 20 including a couple in the waning minutes. Unfortunately, they were all either saved or off target, resulting in a 2-1 loss for Mac.
Of the team's 21 shots, Breelyn Petty took six with half going on frame. Both Vale and Belen Villegas attempted four tries at goal with one being saved by Central.
Sheryl Evans tallied four saves and the two goals allowed in her loss between the pipes for the Bulldogs.
The non-conference season is over for McPherson as they are set to begin KCAC play on Saturday, October 3 when they host Kansas Wesleyan University for a 12:30 p.m. (CT) match at The Kennel.
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McPherson College is a Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference member school and a part of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics.
