Women's Soccer Tops (RV) Ottawa, 2-1

OTTAWA, Kan. --- The McPherson College women's soccer team overcame a first-minute goal to post a 2-1 win over Ottawa University Wednesday at Peoples Bank Field.

Ottawa (11-3-0, 6-1-0 KCAC), which was receiving votes in this week's NAIA Coaches Poll, sent a barrage of shots at McPherson goalkeeper Sheryl Evans (Nassau, Bahamas). The Braves outshot the Bulldogs (8-4-0, 4-3-0 KCAC), 30-10, overall and 10-3 in shots on goal.

The hosts got on the board just 33 seconds into the game as Caroline Jenkins beat Evans off an assist from Ady Barraza.

McPherson knotted the score in the 22nd minute as Dina Der Vartanian (Sierra Madre, Calif.) slipped a shot past Kodie Johnson for the equalizer. Emma Van Donselaar (Overland Park, Kan.) was credited with an assist on the play.

The game-winner came with just over 10 minutes to play off the boot of Ana Guerrero (Graton, Calif.).

Cydney Lewis was the only Bulldog credited with multiple shots with Guerrero, Der Vartanian and Rhea Vale (London, England) notching the other shots. 

Evans made nine saves in goal for McPherson.

Jenkins led Ottawa with six shots, including five on goal. Ana Gonzalez and Sydney Alexander had four shots apiece, while Naysia Munoz and Jessica Beall added three each.

Johnson faced only three shots on goal all evening, making one save.

"I'm so happy for our program," said head coach Doug Quint. "The ladies had to overcome adversity tonight arriving late as there was a major traffic delay due to a wreck, then conceding a goal about 30 seconds in on the road to the league leaders. You could see us calm down all of a sudden and that's when you could see the confidence grow." 

McPherson returns to the pitch Saturday afternoon when it hosts Southwestern (7-7, 3-4 KCAC) in another KCAC matchup. Kickoff is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. from The Kennel.