McPHERSON, Kan. (macbulldogs.com) --- McPherson College freshman goalkeeper
Christie Silber (Simi Valley, Calif., Simi Valley HS) stood on her head most of the night trying to preserve an early Bulldog lead, but a goal late in regulation and a score off a corner kick in the second overtime pushed No. 22-ranked University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (USAO) to a 2-1 nonconference women's soccer victory Thursday evening at McPherson Stadium.
The Bulldogs (3-2) used a strong south breeze to their advantage en route to an early first-half lead. With the wind at their back,
Emma Van Donselaar (Overland Park, Kan., Shawnee Mission West HS) pounced on a poor clear attempt by the Drovers and chipped a ball over a defender.
Ana Guerrero (Graton, Calif., Santa Rosa JC) sprinted past another USAO defender to win the ball and beat a charging Kayle Moore for the goal to put McPherson up 1-0 14 minutes in.
McPherson managed just one more shot and a pair of corner kicks the rest of the half, while USAO racked up nine shots.
Changing sides after the break did little to change where the game was played on the field. The Drovers held a significant edge in possession and out-shot the Bulldogs, 10-3. McPherson clung to their one-goal lead until the late stages of regulation. In the 84th minute, Jillian Nicholas found Thais Silva streaking to the goal. Silva picked up the feed just outside the 6-yard box and beat a diving Silber to tie the score.
USAO had a couple of late corner kicks and nearly won the game in the final seconds of regulation but Silber punched away a Lindsay Daugherty free kick as time expired.
After neither team scored in the first overtime, the game went into a second extra session. Daugherty scored the game-winner off a corner kick at the 104:34 mark as her service found the back of the net, just out of Silber's reach.
Silber was tested early and often as USAO launched 21 shots to McPherson's five. Eleven Drover shots found the frame, of which Silber was able to turn away nine. Daugherty finished with eight shots, including three on goal.
Guerrero's goal was the Bulldogs only shot on frame in the contest as McPherson spent the second half fighting the wind while defending the slim lead. She finished with three shots, while
Danielle Kakebeen (Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., San Bernardino Valley College) and
Juliana Munoz (Antelope, Calif., American River College) each added one.
USAO also held a 10-3 advantage in corner kicks.
"Even though players and coaches are never happy after a loss, I told the team that I was extremely proud of them for the effort they game," said head coach
Mark Olson. "USAO's national ranking is well deserved and we competed with them on a windy day. Our freshman keeper, Christie Silber, was tremendous today. Ana Guerrero's heart and determination was a positive reflection of the team and led to her scoring in her second straight game."
The Bulldogs open Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC) play next Wednesday at Sterling College. Kickoff is slated for 3 p.m.
