Photo by Junior Silva
McPherson, Kan. – The McPherson College women's soccer team played the Bethel College Threshers to a 2-2 draw at Paul Family Field on Wednesday evening.
It was a well-played game by both squads with the possession of the ball favoring the Bulldogs. The Bulldogs also created more opportunities at goal, outshooting the Threshers 35 to 16, and placing five more shots on goal than the visitors. In the end, Bethel was more efficient, scoring two goals on five shots while the Bulldogs were 2 of 10.
The Threshers got on the board first when Claire Hedlund, a local product, scored a goal from an impossible angle along the end line in the 30th minute of the opening half. Three minutes later the Bulldogs answered when Vannesa Cisneros launched a shot from about 30 yards out that beat the Thresher keeper, upper 90.
In the second half, the Bulldogs took the lead in the 56th minute off of a corner kick. Ally Holloway served the ball into the box. Bethel tried to clear the ball, but it found the foot of Trinity Tovar instead and she rocketed a left foot low and into the right corner of the goal. The final two minutes of games has been the Achilles heel of the Bulldogs this season. Leading 2-1 with the clock winding down, the Threshers were somehow able find the equalizer in the 89th minute of action.
In both overtime sessions, the Bulldogs created some good looks at goal, but were unable to come away with the game winner. Instead they had to settle for a tie.
Lauren Kunda got the start in goal for the Bulldogs. She played the first 45 minutes, while Emma Meinholdt played the second half and both overtime sessions. Both had one goal against, Kunda had two saves, and Meinholdt had three.
"With the abilities these players possess, this team is so fun to watch and coach," said Bulldog head coach Mark Olson. "It's just real frustrating that we have not been able to finish games out. That's just something we will continue to work on going forward."
 The tie leaves the Bulldogs at 3-3-1 overall, and 2-3-1 in the KCAC. They will be back on the pitch this Saturday when they make the short trip north to take on intra-county rival Bethany College in a 6:00 pm matchup.
