Mid-America Christian University

GOODWELL, Okla. – The MACU Women's Soccer team overcame its offensive struggles in the first half as the Evangels netted a pair of second half goals, including an impressive game-winner from Abby Sonne to propel MACU to a 2-0 road win at Oklahoma Panhandle State at Anchor D Stadium on Saturday night.
 
SCORE

• Mid-America Christian 2, Oklahoma Panhandle State 0
  • Mid-America Christian (4-5-1, 1-0-0 SAC)
  • Oklahoma Panhandle State (2-4-1, 0-1-0 SAC)

SCORING SUMMARY

• 2^nd Half – MACU – 60:01 – Goal: Abby Sonne (1) – MACU 1, OPSU 0
• 2^nd Half – MACU – 89:05 – Goal: Morgan Higgins (2), Assist: Liv Houlston – MACU 2, OPSU 0

MATCH SUMMARY

• First Half
  • It was an offensive struggle for both sides through the first 30 minutes as the only shot for Mid-America Christian was a high long-range attempt by Izzy Hayward after an errant pass by the OPSU goalkeeper while the Aggies only managed to put two weakly placed long shots on-goal that were easily saved by Niamh Taylor.
  • The Evangels didn't get their next chance until Stephanie Arrivillaga got a shot off in the 31^st minute that sailed just wide right of the right post.
  • MACU started to generate more chances in the final six minutes as Brae Baker managed to dribble around a defender on the left side and go cross-field with her shot toward the right post, but pushed it just wide right in the 40^th minute.
  • Two minutes later, Baker put the only shot on-goal in the half when she got by her defenders on the right side, but OPSU goalkeeper Leylani Bernal made a strong stabbing save to push the ball over the crossbar for a MACU corner kick with 2:52 to go.
  • On the ensuing corner of the boot of Stephanie Arrivillaga, Lexi Swetz got her head on the ball toward the right side of the box aimed for the left side of goal, but it was blocked by the OPSU defense, sending the game into the half tied up at 0-0.
• Second Half
  • Mid-America Christian came out to start the second half with a new vigor as just 37 seconds in, Rosina Mastro had a great chance when she received a through ball on the right side on the break. With a one-on-one with the keeper, her attempt just glanced off the right post, keeping it a scoreless game.
  • The Evangels had another chance just five minutes later, once again coming off the foot of Baker that Bernal once again saved.
  • In the 61^st minute, the Evangels finally broke the defensively persistent Aggies. After a foul was called a long distance out of the box, Abby Sonne sent the set piece attempt from 38 yards out into the box that top left corner, giving MACU the 1-nil advantage.
  • Both teams managed to put a shot on-frame over the next few minutes that resulted in a save for Taylor on Joyleen Aleman's attempt and a Bernal save on a try from Liv Houlston in the 64^th minute.
  • The Aggies had the build-up over the next six minutes that resulted in three OPSU shot attempts that all missed the mark and allowed the Evangels to maintain their 1-0 edge heading into the final 20 minutes.
  • With time winding down, MACU pushed across one more insurance goal before the end of the match. After Mikayla Van Blaricom popped a ball down in the right corner near the flag, Liv Houlston tracked it down and dribbled down the goal line, getting by her defender before centering a pass to Morgan Higgins, who blasted her open attempt into the right side with 55 seconds left to secure the 2-0 victory.

MATCH NOTES

• Mid-America Christian held the slight 13-11 shot advantage over Oklahoma Panhandle State, but were much more effective at putting their attempts on-frame with six attempts finding the mark to only three for the Aggies.
• The free kick goal for Abby Sonne was the second of her two-year Evangels career while making it her first game-winner.
• Morgan Higgins tallied her second goal of the season while Liv Houlston moved into a three-way tie for the team-lead in assists with her fourth of the campaign. The sophomore midfielder has impressively tallied 12 dimes through her first 30 games as an Evangel.
• Niamh Taylor picked up the shutout win in-goal for the Evangels, finishing the contest with three saves to improve to 4-4-1 in-goal with her third clean sheet.
• With the victory, MACU improved to 9-0 all-time against the Aggies since OPSU joined the SAC in 2019.

UP NEXT

• Mid-America Christian will have a short turnaround as the Evangels will return home on Monday for a 5 p.m. kickoff against Central Christian.