North Newton, Kan. – McPherson traveled to North Newton, Kansas on Wednesday for a matchup with Bethel College. The Bulldogs looked to bounce back from a 3-0 loss to 8
th nationally ranked Oklahoma Wesleyan on Friday, while the Threshers aimed to return to the win column following a 2-2 draw with Avila on Saturday.
The Basics
Location: Thresher Stadium
Score: MC 1, BC 2
Records: MC 5-5-1 (KCAC 3-4-1), BC 3-8-3 (KCAC 3-5-1)
How it Happened
The Bulldogs opened the match on the front foot, controlling possession and keeping play in their attacking half. In the 12
th minute,
Gracie Speltz fired the first shot on goal, forcing a save from the Bethel goalkeeper. Shortly after,
Alyssa Hill beat the Thresher goalie to a pass from
Ayden Jones and sent a shot towards goal but it rattled off the crossbar. Bethel broke through the deadlock late in the half on a goal from Malayasia Larque, to take a 1-0 lead into the half.
McPherson opened the second half with renewed energy, quickly flipping the momentum in their favor. Just seven minutes in
Taylor Duvall tested the Bethel goalkeeper with a shot on goal. The Bulldogs' continued pressure paid off in the 60
th minute when Hill found the back of the net off a pass from Ariana Diaz. Both teams traded chances as the half wore on, but the Threshers regained the lead in the 79
th minute when Aniaya Lugo slipped one past
Emily Singletary at the near post. Hill was shown the only yellow card of the match in the 85
th minute after a foul at midfield. McPherson had one final look when
Courtney Wickham fired a late shot, but it sailed wide of the net securing the victory for the Threshers.
Up Next
The Bulldogs will be back at Paul Family Field on Saturday for a midday matchup with Southwestern College. Kickoff is slated for 1:00 PM.
