MESA, Ariz. – Junior midfielder Liz Lozano scored a second half equalizer, but the Mid-American Christian University women's soccer team fell to 0-2 on the year on a late goal to Benedictine University of Mesa, dropping a 2-1 decision to the Redhawks on Friday night.
Lozano netted the game-tying goal in the 49th minute off a Marga Franco assist, but the Evangels conceded the go-ahead goal to BenU Mesa's Alaniz Salas with 5:35 left in regulation.
The Evangels had a couple of early opportunities in the contest with Kyleigh Gibson and Lozano getting shots on-goal within the first 20 minutes, but a pair of saves by Redhawks goalkeeper Lydia Rankin kept MACU off the board.
Benedictine notched the go-ahead goal off the foot of Salas in the 26th minute to make it a 1-nil contest.
MACU's Bayleigh Fink and Aimee Bland were able to muster a pair of on-target shots in the first half, but a couple of saves allowed the Redhawks to take a one-goal advantage into the halftime locker room.
Mid-America Christian was able to open the second half with some energy on Lozano's first goal of the season with 48:19 on the clock.
The Evangels had four more opportunities to net the go-ahead score with shots on-goal, but the Redhawks defense was able to keep MACU from grabbing the lead.
In the 85th minute, Salas pushed the game-winner through the posts for her second goal of the night to hand the Evangels the heartbreaking defeat.
In the losing effort, Mid-America Christian was able to outshoot BenU Mesa 13-10, including an 8-7 margin in shots on-goal.
Gibson led the MACU attack with four shots, three of which were on-target while Lozano finished with three shots, placing two on-goal. Evangels goalkeeper Jennifer Starwalt finished the match with a season-high five saves in net.
Mid-America Christian will seek its first win of the 2019 season with a 1 p.m. (CST) match at Arizona Christian on Labor Day.
