AURORA, Colo. (macbulldogs.com) --- The McPherson College women's soccer team conceded two early goals and was unable to recover, falling to Saint Thomas University (Fla.), 9-1, in its season opener at the JWU Denver Kickoff Classic at Aurora Sports Park.
It was the season opener for the Bulldogs (0-1), while the Bobcats improved to 1-0-1 overall.
McPherson was able to avoid the shutout when
Alexis Lynn (Pleasant Hill, Mo., Pleasant Hill HS) knocked in a ball off a corner kick by
Lacy Fry (Severance, Colo., Windsor HS) in the 80th minute.
Karina Medina scored a pair of goals in the first two minutes to stake Saint Thomas to a quick 2-0 lead. Kortney Hinden made it 3-0 with less than three minutes to play in the first half, taking a pass up the middle from Alexa Rivera and scoring from 10 yards out.
Medina completed the hat trick in the 54th minute with another goal from 10 yards out. The Bobcats added five more goals down the stretch.
Saint Thomas held a 21-6 edge in shots overall, including a 14-4 edge in shots on goal. Both teams had three corner kicks.
Emma Van Donselaar (Overland Park, Kan., Shawnee Mission West HS) led McPherson with three shots, including two on goal, while both of Lynn's attempts found the frame.
Danielle Kakebeen (Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., San Bernardino Valley College) was credited with the final Bulldog shot.
Christie Silber (Simi Valley, Calif., Simi Valley HS) played a full 90 minutes in goal in her collegiate debut, making five saves.
After an off day on Sunday, the Bulldogs will look to rebound against host Johnson & Wales University at 1 p.m. CDT Monday at Aurora Sports Park.
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McPherson College is a member of both the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference and the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics.