MCPHERSON, Kan. – The Mid-America Christian women's soccer team made a thrilling comeback at Central Christian on Saturday, as Kelsey Henry converted the go-ahead penalty kick with 1:57 remaining before Jennifer Starwalt made a phenomenal diving save on a penalty kick with 22 seconds on the clock to secure the 3-2 victory over the Tigers.
 
SCORING SUMMARY

• First Half
  • CCCK – 11:44 – Goal: Lisette Whiteside (3) – CCCK 1, MACU 0
  • CCCK – 25:53 – Goal: Alexa Riddle (1), Assist: Shaela Leahy – CCCK 2, MACU 0
• Second Half
  • MACU – 61:15 – Goal: Dixie Anderson (1) – CCCK 2, MACU 1
  • MACU – 76:31 – Goal: Kelsey Henry (5), Assist: Daniela Paez – MACU 2, CCCK 2
  • MACU – 88:03 – Goal: Kelsey Henry (6) – MACU 3, CCCK 2

MATCH SUMMARY

• First Half
  • Mid-America Christian was able to force some early opportunities, taking four shots and putting three shots on-goal in the first few minutes, but were unable to find the back of the net.
  • Central Christian grabbed the early lead on Lisette Whiteside's third goal of the season in the 12^th minute to make it a 1-0 game.
  • The Tigers were able to put MACU in some unfamiliar territory against the Tigers when Sheala Leahy was able to find Alexa Riddle with her strike finding the frame to stretch the CCCK advantage to 2-0 in the 26^th minute.
  • The Evangels struggled to find an offensive rhythm for the remainder of the half as MACU could not muster another shot on-goal before the break.
• Second Half
  • After a Kelsey Henry shot was forced out by CCCK goalkeeper Lisbeth Garcia, Mid-America Christian was able to finally find its first score after Johanna Behrens corner was initially cleared out, but Dixie Anderson made a strong approach from just outside the 18-yard box and rifled a shot into the back of the net to bring it to a 2-1 deficit with 28:45 remaining.
  • In the 77^th minute, the Evangels were able to find the equalizer when Daniela Paez from left of the 18-yard box found Henry as her shot from the middle to the left post brought the match even at 2-2.
  • With just under two minutes remaining in the match, Henry was able to make a strong move on the right side of the box before being tripped up by a defender, leading to an Evangels penalty kick. Henry took the opportunity herself and placed it well inside the right post to give MACU the 3-2 advantage.
  • The Evangels nearly had a disastrous finish to the end of regulation when a takedown in the 18-yard box set the Tigers up with a penalty kick with just 22.6 seconds remaining, but senior goalkeeper Jennifer Starwalt came up clutch by making a diving save on Whiteside's shot toward the right post while booting the deflection out before the ball was cleared by the MACU defense as the Evangels held on for the 3-2 victory.

MATCH NOTES

• Both defenses played well in the match as the Evangels were held to only 12 shots, but were effectively able to place nine on-goal while Central Christian was limited to just seven shots with five being on-target.
• Senior forward Kelsey Henry has continued to shine in Sooner Athletic Conference play, notching her second straight multi-goal match, taking over the team-lead outright with six on the season. Henry led the team with five shots, four of which were on-goal for the match.
• Junior defender Dixie Anderson netted her first career goal with the Evangels as she competed in her 26^th match with MACU.
• Jennifer Starwalt's crucial save was her third of the match, allowing her to pick up her fifth win of the season in-goal.
• Mid-America Christian won its fourth straight against the Tigers, including picking up a second straight in dramatic fashion on the road. The last time the Evangels played in McPherson, Kyleigh Rushing scored the go-ahead goal in the 88^th minute to allow MACU to come away with a 4-3 victory on Oct. 5, 2019.

UP NEXT

• Mid-America Christian will close out its three-match road stand in Bethany, Okla. on Tuesday, Oct. 5 as the Evangels will head to Southwestern Christian for a 1 p.m. match.