SILOAM SPRINGS, Ark. – The Mid-America Christian women's soccer team gave a strong challenge to No. 13 Oklahoma Wesleyan at the John Brown Classic, but the Evangels ultimately fell 2-1 after giving up a penalty kick goal in the 86^th minute on Saturday.
 
SCORING SUMMARY

• Second Half
  • MACU – 47:50 – Goal: Kyleigh Gibson (3), Assist: Daniela Paez – MACU 1, OKWU 0
  • OKWU – 50:59 – Goal: Faith Mosaira (1), Assist: Laura Maria – MACU 1, OKWU 1
  • OKWU – 85:38 – Goal: Laura Maria (1) – OKWU 2, MACU 1

MATCH SUMMARY

• First Half
  • Through the first 23 minutes, Mid-America Christian managed to muster one more shot on-goal, coming off the foot of Kyleigh Gibson (Rushing) in the 17^th minute before a lightning delay halted action for approximately 40 minutes.
  • After the break, Oklahoma Wesleyan was able to get into some offensive momentum, but senior goalkeeper Jennifer Starwalt made three critical saves in the 40^th, 41^st and 43^rd minutes to keep it to a scoreless draw after 45 minutes of play.
• Second Half
  • Mid-America Christian gained the early momentum in the second half when Gibson poked in the go-ahead goal, her third of the season off the touch of Paez on a corner kick, giving MACU the 1-0 advantage.
  • Three minutes later, Oklahoma Wesleyan came up with the equalizer. Following a corner, Faith Mossaira fired in a shot from three-yards out on back post off a cross from Laura Maria to draw it even at 1-1.
  • The Evangels were able to place three shots on-goal over the next 30 minutes, but OKWU goalkeeper Nerea Perez Mora made strong saves on all three shots to keep MACU from going in-front.
  • It appeared the Evangels were going to be able to break through in the 82^nd minute when Gibson booted in her second goal of the match, but the play was negated due to a foul called on MACU in the six-yard goal box.
  • Oklahoma Wesleyan managed to take the lead for good when the Evangels were called for a foul inside their own 18-yard box with 4:22 remaining as OKWU's Maria fired in the penalty kick goal just out of the reach of Starwalt to seal the 2-1 win for the Eagles.

MATCH NOTES

• Despite suffering the loss, Mid-America Christian went toe-to-toe with the 13^th-ranked team in the country, outshooting OKWU 14-12 with both teams placing five shots on-goal.
• Kyleigh Gibson (Rushing) led the MACU attack with seven shots, putting four on-goal with one finding the back of the net.
• Jennifer Starwalt tied a season-high three saves in the defeat.

UP NEXT

• Mid-America Christian will be seeking another attempt at an upset bid on Monday as the Evangels will face No. 5 Tennessee Southern for a 11:05 a.m. at the JBU Classic.