OKLAHOMA CITY – Taking on the current Sooner Athletic Conference leader in its regular season finale, the MACU women's soccer team closed it out in thrilling fashion as the Evangels came away with a 1-0 road victory at Brian Harvey Field.
 
SCORING SUMMARY

• 2nd Half – MACU – 75:34 – Goal: Deborah Silveira (3), Assist: Mia Willyerd – MACU 1, OCU 0

 
MATCH SUMMARY

• In the opening half, Mid-America Christian (13-2-2, 5-1-2 SAC) had the initial significant opportunity that came with just under four minutes left, courtesy of Francesca Martella's 25-yard free kick. Martella unleashed a powerful shot on goal, but Stars goalkeeper Gemma Harvey was well-positioned to make a clean save, denying any chance of a rebound for the Evangels.
• In the 49th minute of the second half, Oklahoma City (10-5-1, 7-2 SAC) had a great chance to break the deadlock. After regaining possession in MACU's defensive territory, a well-executed give-and-go play between Hallie Crom and McLain Moss propelled Crom into the 18-yard box. However, her resulting shot struck the crossbar and deflected out of play.
• Continuing their offensive onslaught, the Stars maintained the pressure and just seven minutes later, Moss delivered a tremendous pass to Crom, threading the needle between the Evangels' defensive line. In a one-on-one showdown, MACU keeper Rachel Torres decisively came out of the goal to make a crucial save, preserving the scoreless line.
• Mid-America Christian countered just one minute later. Following an excellent passing combination between Bruna Faleiro and Mia Willyerd, a low executed cross was delivered to the second post, right within the six-yard box. Annika Gerdau seized the opportunity to take a shot, but her effort lacked the necessary power to beat the keeper as Harvey made the save.
• In the 62nd minute, the Stars encountered another stroke of misfortune as the crossbar denied them once more. Following a corner kick, the ball ricochet among several players before finding its way to Cara Compton, positioned on top of the penalty mark. Compton unleashed a first-time shot that struck the bar, resulting in a goal kick for MACU.
• The pivotal moment of the game unfolded with 14 minutes remaining. A precisely delivered right-side corner kick from Willyerd met the head of Deborah Silveira at the near post. Silveira headed just as the Stars goalie moved forward, propelling the Evangels into the lead and ultimately securing the 1-0 victory.

MATCH NOTES

• Mid-America Christian held a 15-10 advantage over Oklahoma City in total shots, which included a 7-2 margin in shots on-target.
• Deborah Silveira scored her third goal of the season while also marking her first career game-winner.
• Mia Willyerd was credited with the assist on the scoring play, making it her first of the season and becoming the 17^th Evangels player to dish out an assist this season.
• Rachel Torres has enhanced her goalkeeping record to an impressive 12-2-1 for the Evangels after tallying a pair of saves in the win. Torres recorded her second complete-game shutout in the last three matches to go with a combined shutout as she now owns five clean sheets to go with four combined goose eggs. With 12 wins now, Torres moved into a three-way tie for the fourth-most single season wins in the NAIA Era (2007-present) record book, joining Melissa Dobie (2011) and Kaitlyn Whitten (2015).
• The Evangels are undefeated in the last six games against Oklahoma City with their last defeat occurring on Nov. 2, 2018.
• MACU wraps up its regular season with a 13-2-2 overall record with an .824 win percentage. It is one of MACU's best season by win percentage at the conclusion of the regular season in program history, sitting only behind the 2020 team that went 14-2 (.875) in the regular season and the 2010 squad that entered SAC Tournament play with a 15-2-1 (.861) mark.
• The victory allowed MACU to wrap-up conference play with a 6-1-2 (20 points) record, moving into third in the SAC standings. The win allowed MACU to lock up one of the top four seeds in the SAC Tournament as MACU will now host a league tournament game.

UP NEXT

• The Evangels will host their SAC Quarterfinal match on Saturday, Nov. 4 for a 2 p.m. kickoff as MACU will wait to see who it will face with the league pairings being announced on Saturday night.