OKLAHOMA CITY – Redshirt freshman midfielder Kyleigh Gibson notched the first goal in her Evangels career, but the Mid-America Christian University women's soccer team fell in its regular season and home opener to Northwestern Oklahoma State 3-1 on an overcast Tuesday afternoon at Evangel Field.
Gibson's goal tied the score at one with just under 33 minutes to go in the second half, but a pair of late goals by NWOSU forward Alyssa Carlson thwarted the Evangels rally.
MACU had the first big scoring opportunity of the match in the 22nd minute when Gibson had a great look, but her shot bounced off the crossbar to keep the match scoreless.
Northwestern Oklahoma recorded the first goal of the match in the 34th minute after a cross from the left side deflected off an Evangels defender into the back of the net, giving the Rangers the 1-nil advantage.
The Evangels were able to attempt a shot on-goal before the half, but Bayleigh Fink's attempt in the 37th minute was saved by NWOSU goalkeeper Reyna Gonzalez, allowing the Rangers to head into the half with the lead.
NWOSU held an 8-5 edge in shots and a 4-2 lead in shots on-goal at the break, but MACU goalkeeper Jennifer Starwalt kept Northwestern Oklahoma from extending its lead with a trio of saves in the opening half.
After missing a close opportunity in the first half, Gibson didn't miss the next with her equalizer coming off a drop pass from junior midfielder Liz Lozano in the 58th minute.
However, the Rangers pulled back ahead in the 72nd minute when Carlson was able to retrieve a loose ball in the box and her shot tapped off the outreached fingertips of Starwalt into the back of the net, making it a 2-1 NWOSU edge.
Northwestern Oklahoma added some insurance with just over eight minutes remaining when Carlson notched her second goal of the match off the back post after receiving a cross from the right side on a breakaway down the right side, sealing the 3-1 win for the Rangers.
In the tightly contested match, Northwestern Oklahoma held a 13-9 advantage in shots, but both defenses did a strong job in limiting the shots on-goal with NWOSU holding a slim 6-4 edge.
Gibson and Fink led the Evangels attack with three shots apiece with Bink putting a pair on-goal. Lozano recorded the lone assist for MACU on Gibson's second half goal.
Opening her third season as the starter in net for the Evangels, Starwalt finished the match with four saves in 90 minutes of action.
The Evangels will look to bounce back on Friday with MACU starting a three-match road swing in Arizona. Mid-America Christian will battle Benedictine University in Mesa, Ariz. on Friday, Aug. 30 before taking on Arizona Christian in Phoenix at 1 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 2.
