Box Score McPherson, Kan. – The Central Christian College women's soccer team picked up their first positive result in Sooner Athletic Conference action, playing the Oklahoma Panhandle State University Aggies to a 4-4 draw in front of the home faithful on Homecoming.
The Tigers honored their six seniors prior to kickoff, and that seemed to inspire the team coming out of the gate. One of the seniors honored, Mariah Godinez, had herself a day. The scored a hat trick in the first 17 minutes of the game to give the Tigers a commanding 3-0 lead.
The Tigers seemed to be in complete control of the game until the 20th minute when they were called for a foul inside the 18 yard box, and the Aggies were awarded a penalty kick. Their best player, Kelsey Vickrey slotted the attempt to get the Aggies on the board. Vickrey would reek havoc on the Tiger defense throughout the rest of the game, assisting on the three other Aggie goals.
The Aggies scored a second goal in the 23rd minute, but the Tigers responded with an important 4th goal, off the foot of Amaleigh Mattison, with under five minutes to play in the half. They went into the break leading 4-2.
In the second half, the Tigers had a few opportunities slip through their fingers, and the Aggies capitalized, scoring two goals in the half to tie the game at four. The Aggies scored their 4th goal with 20 minutes remaining in the game, giving the Tigers plenty of time to try and come up with a game winner. Samantha Carachure came close late in the game, finding herself behind the Aggie defense and 1 v 1 with the OPSU goal keeper. She fired high, and the Aggie goalkeeper made a brilliant save to keep the game knotted at four.
Katelyn Beckman was in goal for the Tigers, and finished with seven saves.
Coach Macharia commented on the Tigers' performance saying, "It was the best weather we could have asked for and a great homecoming crowd. We began the game the best way possible way with three goals from senior Mariah Godinez but the pressure from Panhandle caused us to make mistakes that proved costly. From a game that looked easily winnable at 3-0 to 4-4 tie we were quickly reminded we can never rest on our laurels in any game."
The draw leaves the Tigers at 4-6-1 overall, and 0-3-1 in the SAC. They will be back on the pitch next Friday night in a 5:00 pm match up against Wayland Baptist University at home.
