BILLINGS, Mont. – The Mid-America Christian University women's soccer team hit the field for their second match of the season on Saturday afternoon, taking on the University of Providence (Mont.) in a neutral site match at Rocky Mountain College. The Evangels started slowly, and that slow start proved to be too much, as Providence cruised to the victory.
Providence (1-1) got three first half tallies, including a pair from Eme McLaughlin, and MACU (1-1) was unable to rally, taking the loss 4-1.
McLaughlin assisted on the game's opening goal, which was scored by Alexis Cavalier, and she tallied twice in the span of 1:10 later in the half to give Providence the lead. MACU managed four shots in the first half, but they were unable to convert any of their chances, and at intermission, MACU trailed 3-0.
In the 50th minute, MACU got on the board on a beautiful strike from Casey Riley. Riley lined up for a free kick from 38 yards out on the left wing side, and she lofted a shot toward the upper right corner that went just above the hand of Dakota Neaumann and glanced off the bottom of the crossbar and in for Riley's first goal of the season. Providence answered with a goal in the 66th minute from Malena Lennon to cap the scoring and the Argos took the win 4-1.
Neaumann (1-1) made five saves in earning the victory, while Jennifer Starwalt (1-1) made eight stops in the loss for MACU.
The Evangels will conclude their trip to Montana on Monday when they take on the host Rocky Mountain College Battlin' Bears (2-0) at Noon.
