OKLAHOMA CITY – For the second time this season, the MACU women's soccer team pulled out a 2-1 win over Southwestern Assemblies of God at the Dill Soccer Field, but this time, the stakes were much higher as the Evangels defeated the fifth-seeded Lions in the SAC Tournament Quarterfinal round on Saturday afternoon.
 
SCORING SUMMARY

• 1^st Half – MACU – 17:32 – Goal: Deborah Silveira (4), Assist: Annika Gerdau – MACU 1, SAGU 0
• 2nd Half – SACU – 48:17 – Goal: Anna Bewley (22), Assist: Stephanie Hernandez – MACU 1, SAGU 1
• 2nd Half – MACU – 50:08 – Goal: Gladis Avalos (7), Assist: Francesca Martella – MACU 2, SAGU 1

 
MATCH SUMMARY

• Just six minutes into the game, Southwestern Assemblies of God (10-7-1) had the first scoring opportunity. Ansley Meza launched the ball up field towards MACU's goal, prompting Rachel Torres to advance and punch the ball, resulting in a collision with one of SAGU's forwards, granting Anna Bewley an open net. However, the she struck the ball too high over the crossbar, resulting in a goal kick.
• Mid-America Christian (14-2-2) first scoring chance came nine minutes later. Kadin Stinson received the ball wide on the right side of the midfield, providing ample space to advance all the way to the endline. Stinson delivered a low cross to Jasie Eischen just outside the six-yard box, allowing Eischen to strike a first-time shot that prompted Zoe Boldt to make an incredible save. The rebound fell back to Eischen's feet, but her following attempt soared high over the crossbar, maintaining the scoreless tie.
• Undeterred by the earlier missed opportunity, the Evangels responded with their first goal in the 18^th minute. On the go-ahead play, Annika Gerdau delivered a precise 25-yard long ball into the box, which took a bounce before Deborah Silveira used her head to direct it inside the left post, giving MACU a 1-0 lead heading into the half.
• The Lions appeared resolute in their comeback efforts as they entered the second half. A mere three minutes in, a long ball was dispatched for the run of Stephanie Hernandez. Hernandez adeptly maintained control of the ball just outside the 18-yard box and then passed to Bewley, who positioned herself near the penalty mark. Bewley skillfully dribbled past Cammy Hargrove and unleashed a low drive shot to the right post, resulting in a 1-1 tie.
• Mid-America Christian wasted little time regaining the lead. In the 50th minute, Daniela Paez executed a flawless long pass over the defensive backline, allowing Francesca Martella to make a well-timed run into the box. Martella unleashed a powerful shot, compelling Boldt to make a low diving save. However, Boldt couldn't maintain control of the ball and Gladis Avalos crashed in toward the loose ball to tap it into the open net for the game-winning goal.

 
MATCH NOTES

• Despite Mid-America Christian getting the 2-1 result, Southwestern Assemblies of God controlled a majority of the possession, outshooting the Evangels 20-17 with a 9-6 differential in shots on-goal.
• Gladis Avalos, the SAC Newcomer of the Year, has emerged as the leading top scorer for the Evangels after her game-winner, scoring a team-high seven goals with it being her second winning shot of the season. Francesca Martella was credited with the assist on the goal, tallying her third of the year.
• Annika Gerdau's assist to Deborah Silveira's goal has propelled Gerdau into the team-lead for assists with seven. Additionally, Silveira netted her fourth goal of the year, the fourth-most on the team.
• Rachel Torres has bolstered her goalkeeping record to an impressive 13-2-1 for the Evangels. Torres boosted her save percentage to 0.793 save percentage after having made a career-high eight saves in this contest. Torres' 13^th win moved her alone into fourth place in MACU's single season record book for goalkeeper wins and needs just two more victories to move into the top spot.
• This victory extends Mid-America Christian's undefeated streak to nine consecutive games against Southwestern Assemblies of God.
• The victory will be allowing the Evangels to compete in their fourth SAC Semifinal match in the last five seasons.

 
UP NEXT

• Mid-America Christian is set to hit the road to face the top-seeded No. 9 John Brown in the SAC Tournament Semifinals. The match is scheduled for Tuesday, November 7 for a 5 p.m. kickoff at Alumni Field in Siloam Springs, Arkansas.