McPherson, KS – The McPherson College women's soccer team lost a heartbreaker at home on Wednesday night, to the Kansas Wesleyan University Coyotes. The Bulldogs lost 2-1, falling to 0-10 on the year, and 0-5 in KCAC competition.
The Bulldog knew they were going to have to rely on their defense heavily against the Coyotes, as they would be without several key offensive starters, who are out with injuries. With a strong south wind in their faces in the opening half, the Bulldogs employed a "bend but don't break" mentality in their defensive third of the field. The Bulldog defense forced a lot of long range shots from the Coyotes, and the Bulldog net minder, Christi Silber (So. Simi Valley, Calif.), stopped everything the visitors threw at her. She finished the half with 7 saves, and the Bulldogs went into the halftime intermission tied 0-0.
The Bulldogs got a reprieve in the second half, playing the final 45 minutes with the wind at their backs. In the 66
th minute, the Bulldogs took advantage of the strong wind, and broke the tie with a goal from an unlikely source, Silber. After making a save, she punted the ball down field. It got up into the wind, and on the second bounce, it carried over the Coyotes' goalkeeper's head and into the back of the net.
From there the Bulldogs tried to hold on for the win, but in the 79
th minute, the Coyotes wore down the Bulldog defense netted the equalizer, a goal by #10 Michelle Pena. Four minutes later the Coyotes broke the Bulldogs' heart, with the game winner, and again Pena was involved. She broke down the Bulldog defense and then played a ball to #27 Demi Imbriani on the far post. Imbriani then chipped a ball back across the box, it caromed off the post and into the back of the net.
The Coyotes had the advantage in total shots 31-6, and in shots on goal, 19-3. Silber had a monster night in between the pipes for the Bulldogs. She finished the night stopping 17 of the 19 shots on goal she faced.
"I am very happy with the team's performance this evening against KWU", said Bulldog head coach
Mark Olson. "I felt that the team came together defensively and showed potential on that side of the ball." He went on to add, "This group of players work so hard and to have the lead for much of the second half and then give up late goals was heartbreaking. We still have some work on the offensive side of the ball but that will be addressed as we get more attacking players back from injury in time for next week's game against Bethel College.
Olson also lauded the play of Silber saying, "Christie showed early in the year her ability to punt the ball as she has recorded both an assist and a goal this season in addition to her 17 saves in tonight's game."
The Bulldogs have a rare weekend off this weekend, and will use it to try and get some players healthy. They will be back on the pitch next Wednesday when they go on the road to play the Bethel College Threshers. Kickoff is slated for 5:00 pm.
