Photo by Junior Silva
Article by Marcus Fernandes
McPherson, Kan. - The McPherson College Women's soccer team stepped on the field today to play their third conference game. The match against the Spires was an opportunity for the bulldogs to recover from the last game's heartbreaking loss, but it ended up being more of the same.
The Bulldogs had a great start in the game. Just three minutes in, (Sr.)
Emma Singleton did not waste her chance and scored her fourth goal of the season after a good cross from (Fr.)
Caitlin Buendia. The forward, anticipated the defender and slightly touched the ball to the net. The early goal in the game gave an impression it was going to be a different match for the Bulldogs. The first half was an open match. Despite the goal in the first minutes, both teams had opportunities to alternate on the scoreboard.
The Spires caused problems for the McPherson team whenever they recovered the ball and played fast behind the Bulldog's backline. They had some good looks in the first half but could not convert their chances. The Bulldogs also had their opportunities. Although they had a one goal lead, the McPherson team was looking for a second goal. The ladies had moments where they connected the ball, found the gaps, but failed to find the last pass.
 After half-time, the game completely switched. The Bulldogs could not find the same energy of the first half. With only four minutes gone off the second half clock, the Bulldogs conceded an equalizer. After a miscommunication in the backline, the spires' forward had a one v one against (Fr.)
Emma Meinholdt and pushed the ball to the back of the net. The goal hurt the bulldogs in the game. After the equalizer, the team tried to get back in the game, but the intensity was not good as the first 45 minutes. The Spires knew how to take advantage of the Bulldogs' lapse in the game, and at the 64th minute of the game, they could find their second goal. After a long shot from 30 yards out, the Bulldogs' goalkeeper could not hold the ball, and after the unexpected rebound, Saint Mary's forward was there to find the net. The Bulldogs tried until the end to get back in the game. The long-distance shots that have helped the bulldogs this season couldn't find the net down the stretch on Saturday.
After the game, Bulldog Coach
Mark Olson expressed his thoughts on the game, "We just didn't come out and play with the same intensity that we have in our previous games. This is a talented group of players but today showed that you need intensity and communication to win the game".
With the loss, the Bulldogs are now 2-2 overall and 1-2 in KCAC play. They will look to get back in the win column on Wednesday when they host Avila University at Paul Family field for a 5 p.m. kickoff.
Â
