Women's Soccer Shuts Out Southwestern, 3-0, Behind Three First-Half Goals

McPHERSON, Kan. --- The McPherson College women's soccer team scored a trio of first-half goals en route to a 3-0 Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC) win over Southwestern College on Saturday at The Kennel.

Cydney Lewis (Ottawa, Kan.) put the Bulldogs (9-4, 5-3 KCAC) on the board in the 18th minute with a shot from the top of the penalty box that found the lower left corner past Southwestern starting keeper Olyvia Bish.

McPherson added to the lead in the 22nd minute as Rhea Vale (London, England) found the back of the net on a shot from the midfield stripe. Danielle Kakebeen (Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.) was credited with an assist on the play. 

Kayla Faust (Manhattan, Kan.) made it 3-0 in the 33rd minute with another long arching shot that got past Bish.

Despite 11 shots in the second half, the Bulldogs were unable to add to their advantage in the second half.

McPherson outshot Southwestern (7-8, 3-5 KCAC), 22-6, overall but just 6-3 in shots on goal. Lewis led the Bulldogs with eight shots, including two on goal. Allie Hicks (Bedford, Texas) added three shots, while Vale, Astrid Alvarez (Flagstaff, Ariz.), Emma Van Donselaar (Overland Park, Kan.) and Dina Der Vartanian (Sierra Madre, Calif.) added two apiece.

Sheryl Evans (Nassau, Bahamas) made three saves while recording another clean sheet in goal for McPherson.

Six different players recorded shots for Southwestern. After two saves and three goals allowed in the first half, Bish was lifted in favor of Courtney Jones, who was credited with one save in the second half.

"The ladies put in another solid performance today," said head coach Doug Quint. "They continue to stay disciplined defensively which is creating good offensive possessions for us. I am very happy with how well we are playing right now."

McPherson, winners of four straight, takes to the road for the final time in the regular season Wednesday with a trip to Leavenworth to face the University of Saint Mary (4-8-1, 3-5 KCAC). The Bulldogs currently sit tied for fourth in the league table with three matches to play.