CHICKASHA, Okla. – The MACU Women's Soccer team put together a tough fight at Science & Arts on Tuesday night, but the Drovers rallied with two goals in the final seven minutes to hand MACU a heartbreaking 2-1 defeat at McLaughlin Field.
 
SCORING SUMMARY

• 2^nd Half – MACU – 55:19 – Goal: Brae Baker (7) – MACU 1, USAO 0
• 2^nd Half – USAO – 83:21 – Goal: Ashlee Davidson (3), Assist: Dagbjort Gudmundsdottir – MACU 1, USAO 1
• 2^nd Half – USAO – 88:10 – Goal: Dagbjort Gudmundsdottir – USAO 2, MACU 1

MATCH SUMMARY

• First Half
  • Mid-America Christian (6-2-2, 1-1 SAC) had an early chance in the fourth minute when a through ball down the left side found the foot of Gladis Avalos, but her long shot was easily snared by USAO goalkeeper Ashlyn Lonberg on the bounce in.
  • Science & Arts (9-0-1, 2-0 SAC) had a couple of early chances in the sixth minute when a foul was called just outside the left side of MACU's 18-yard box. On the ensuing free kick by Mabel Cremers, MACU goalkeeper Rachel Torres made a strong diving save on the low liner toward the left post. On the ensuing free kick, USAO's Daniela Salinas got a header on toward the right side, but Torres once again came up with the save.
  • The Drovers had another strong chance in the 10^th minute as Cremers once again got a long, strong shot off from the right side, but Torres once again made another leaving save toward the right post to force it out for another corner.
  • USAO had another major chance in the 27^th minute when another left side corner once again found the head of Salinas, who put a well-placed shot toward the left side that was punched out by Torres to keep it scoreless.
  • The Drovers most dangerous chance of the half came in the 35^th minute when Ilse de Jong got open for a long shot from the middle and put it toward the top left. However, Torres once again came up with a huge leaping save to force it out for another corner.
• Second Half
  • Mid-America Christian took advantage of the first real great chance for both teams in the second half as Dani Duke launched a deep ball from the left side toward the midfield for Brae Baker. After shielding off her defender, Baker let the ball bounce by and ran it down just outside the box for a one-on-one with the keeper as she slid a 15-yarder in underneath the crashing keeper toward the right post, making it a 1-0 game.
  • In the final 10 minutes, Science & Arts put together the rally as a quick counter and a through ball from the midfield from Dagbjort Gudmundsdottir found the run of Ashlee Davidson, putting her on a one-on-one with the keeper. Her 12-yard shot was deflected by Torres, but she was unable to keep the ball from going into the back of the net as the Drovers tied it with 6:49 to go.
  • Just when it looked like MACU might be able to play to a draw, the Drovers found the winner with just under two minutes left as a break down the left side and a dish to Gudmundsdottir put her on a one-on-one with a MACU defender. However, she was able to beat the Evangels on the left side of the box and fire in a close six-yarder past Torres.

MATCH NOTES

• Mid-America Christian struggled to slow down the Science & Arts attack as the Drovers outshot MACU 18-5 with a 13-3 margin in shots on-goal. However, the Evangels were able to do a better job of slowing down USAO in the second half as the Drovers only held a 5-3 shot advantage in the second half.
• The goal netted by Brae Baker in the 56^th minute moved her into a tie for the team-lead with Stephanie Arrivillaga, marking her seventh goal of the year.
• Senior goalkeeper Rachel Torres recorded a career-high 11 saves while conceding two goals for an .846 save percentage.
• With the defeat, the Drovers have won the last five meetings in the all-time series.

UP NEXT

• Mid-America Christian will be seeking to bounce back on its Senior Night this Saturday as the Evangels will host Central Christian for a 4:30 p.m. kickoff at the Dill Soccer Field. MACU will hold its Senior Night ceremony following the completion of the women's game.