McPHERSON, Kan. (macbulldogs.com) --- Sarah Henderson's unassisted tally with 4:32 to play pushed visiting Bethany College past McPherson College in Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC) women's soccer action on Saturday at The Kennel.
McPherson (9-6, 5-5 KCAC) struck first as
Rhea Vale (London, England) sent a direct free kick past Bethany goalkeeper Jovana Canales in the 11th minute.
The Swedes (10-7, 7-3 KCAC) knotted the score in the 27th minute as Henderson received a pass from Ciara Dawson and snuck a shot in past the outstretched arms of McPherson keeper
Sheryl Evans (Nassau, Bahamas).
Bethany held a 20-13 advantage in shots overall, but McPherson finished with more shots on goal by a 7-6 margin. The Bulldogs also had five corner kicks to the Swedes' two, including a 4-2 edge in the second half, but could not break through for the game-winner.
Henderson, who fired off a match-high 10 shots, eventually came through with the deciding goal on a shot seemingly deflected by a McPherson defender.
The Bulldogs had multiple chances at the equalizer in the games' final three minutes, including thee corner kicks, but possibly the best chance came with 2:04 to play. McPherson was awarded a penalty kick after Ciara Dawson was booked for a foul inside the 18-yard box, but the attempt by
Astrid Alvarez (Flagstaff, Ariz.) attempt sailed high of the goal.
Five different Bulldogs -- Alvarez,
Bereniz Velazquez (Orange, Calif.),
Ana Guerrero (Graton, Calif.),
Cydney Lewis (Ottawa, Kan.) and
Dina Der Vartanian (Sierra Madre, Calif.) -- had two shots each.
In goal, Evans was credited with four saves in 90 minutes. Canales made six saves for Bethany.
Shannon Markey added three shots for the Swedes while Kylie Young and Alyssa McBride had two apiece.
It was also Senior Day for McPherson as the program recognized eight seniors after the match -- Velazquez, Lewis, Evans,
Caitlyn Blagrave (Rio Rancho, N.M.),
Kayla Faust (Manhattan, Kan.),
Allie Hicks (Bedford, Texas),
Heather Diamond (Lake Forest, Calif.), and
Kelsey Eby (Kechi, Kan.).
The Bulldogs secured a a berth in the KCAC Tournament despite the result and will be on the road for a quarterfinal matchup on Friday, November 4, against an opponent to be determined.
McPherson closes out the regular season Tuesday, November 1, with a matchup against KCAC newcomer York College (1-15, 0-10 KCAC). Kickoff is scheduled for 5 p.m. at McPherson Stadium.
