McPherson's women's soccer team opened the KCAC portion of their 2018 season on Wednesday evening, dropping a 2-0 decision at McPherson Stadium to Tabor College.
After opening the season with a very difficult series of non-conference matches, several of which were against teams ranked or at least receiving votes in the NAIA national poll, the KCAC appeared to be a welcome relieve.
But, the Bulldogs were bit by the bad luck bug just before the six minute mark of the first half when they couldn't stop a Bluejay shot on goal, tapped in from the goal line by Tabor's Daniela Rojas for the 1-0 lead at the 5:52 mark.Â
In the opening 45 minutes, McPherson managed to get only one shot off, that by
Christina Hall (SO, Falls Church, Va., George C. Marshall HS) while holding Tabor to only three shots, two of which were on goal.
But, Coach
Mark Olson's women regrouped at halftime and came out firing, pelleting the Bluejay defense with nine second half shots, three each by
Ashley Taylor (SO, Eastvale, Calif., Chino Hills HS) and Dina DerVartanian (JR, Sierra Madre, Calif., Alverno HS). Two of Taylor's shots were on goal while
Alexis Lynn (Pleasant Hill, Mo.) and Hall each forced Tabor saves, but none could find the back of the net.
After hanging tough against the McPherson pressure, the Bluejays were the ones to find the back of the goal as they came away with a second score at the 85:12 mark when Courtney Yochum found the lower left corner on a penalty kick.
The loss dropped the Bulldogs record to 0-6 overall, 0-1 in KCAC play. Tabor moved its record to 2-3, 1-0 KCAC. McPherson will return to conference play on Saturday when they entertain Southwestern College on the natural grass of "The Kennel" at 12:30 p.m.
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