KISSIMMEE, Fla. – The fifth-seeded Mid-America Christian women's soccer team conceded a late first half goal and were unable to overcome the deficit as the Evangels fell to No. 8 seed Warner 1-0 in their first match of pool play at the NCCAA National Championships being played at the Austin-Tindall Sports Complex in Kissimmee, Fla. on Tuesday afternoon.
 
SCORING SUMMARY

• WU – 44:33 – Goal: Jade Hickey (1), Assist: Sophia Rabey – WU 1, MACU 0

MATCH SUMMARY

• First Half
  • Warner was able to hold the early offensive momentum, forcing a pair of shots on-goal in the second and eighth minutes, but senior goalkeeper Jennifer Starwalt was able to make a pair of routine saves to keep the Royals off the board.
  • The Evangels got the next three attempts on-goal in the 19^th and two in the 22^nd minute. The first two came off the foot of Kadin Stinson as Gabrielle Barnette made a pair of saves before making a strong save on Kyleigh Rushing's attempt from the right side at the 21:29 mark.
  • The Royals were able to take the momentum into the half. With 27 seconds left following a MACU foul, WU's Sophia Raby launched a well-placed free kick from the right side to the middle of the box, as Jade Hickey headed it into the left side of the goal to make it a 1-nil Warner lead at the break.
• Second Half
  • MACU's first chance at an equalizer came in the 51^st minute when Jasmine Morales was able to run down a deep ball near the top of the box on a breakaway, but Barnette was able to cleanly field her volley shot to keep the Evangels off the board.
  • The Evangels only had one other great chance happened in the 78^th minute when Kyleigh Rushing put an excellently placed cross from the right side toward the left post, but Sylvie Willie's open shot sailed over the crossbar.

MATCH NOTES

• Despite outshooting Warner by an 11-9 margin, but Mid-America Christian and the Royals were only able to muster four shots on-goal apiece.
• Junior forward Kadin Stinson led the MACU attack with four shots, two of which were on-target.
• Senior goalkeeper Jennifer Starwalt made three saves while conceding one goal for a .750 save percentage.
• The Evangels lost their first NCCAA National Championship Pool Play opener since suffering a 1-0 defeat to Columbia International Nov. 28, 2017.
• The loss to Warner was the Evangels first ever loss to the Royals in their second meeting. The last time the two teams met was at the NCCAA National Championships as MACU came away with a 2-1 overtime victory on Nov. 30, 2015. Cici Mitchell notched a goal and an assist while Kaci Power tallied a goal as well in the win.
• Mid-America Christian fell to 11-8 on the season while Warner improved to 6-12-2.

UP NEXT

• Mid-America Christian will have one last chance to advance out of pool play, but will need to get a win over No. 2 seed Trinity Christian (Ill.). The match is slated for a 3:30 p.m. EST (2:30 p.m. CST) on Wednesday, Dec. 1 at the Austin-Tindall Sports Complex in Kissimmee, Fla.