McPherson, Kan – With playoffs on the line, this matchup with the Falcons of Friends University was a must-win for the Bulldogs if they wanted to play post-season soccer for the first time in three years. The Falcons came into the matchup looking for their first win since October 18
th when they took a 4-0 victory over Bethel College in Newton, KS.
The Basics
Location: McPherson Stadium
Records: MC 7-8-3 (5-5-3 KCAC), FU 4-12-2 (4-7-2 KCAC)
Score: MC 3, FU 1
How it Happened
The physicality was alive and well at Paul Family Field on Saturday, as both teams exchanged many hard hits and tackles on each other making it out for a very competitive and entertaining match to watch. In the 20
th minute of the match,
Nathan Van Wyck sent home a penalty kick for the 1-0 advantage. Friends matched the score with a goal from Andrew Michael Xibilia in the 33
rd minute to level the match at 1-1. Although both sides were exchanging heavy hits on one another, McPherson received four yellow cards in just the first half alone.
In the second half, it was
Elliot Powrie who managed the goal-ahead goal from short range in the 77
th minute, lifting the Senior Day crowd off their feet as the Bulldogs took the lead with just 13 minutes left to play. Just when the crowd had sat back down,
Nathan Van Wyck unleashed a rocket from long distance a minute later and found the back of the net to extend McPherson's lead to 3-1 with a small amount of time already left.
The Bulldogs allowed minimal attacks and drained the final minutes off the clock to secure their spot in the KCAC Quarterfinal with the 3-1 victory over Friends.
Up Next
McPherson College will face Ottawa University on the road in the opening round of the KCAC Quarterfinal this upcoming Tuesday on November 4
th at 7:30 PM.
