Photo by Jerry Montano
Bethany, Okla. – The Central Christian College women's soccer wrapped up the 2023 season on Friday with a 2-0 loss on the road, to the Southwestern Christian University Eagles. The game was originally scheduled for Saturday afternoon, but with the potential for rain all day Saturday in the Oklahoma City metro area, the game was moved up 24 hours to avoid the weather.
The Tigers played the first 45 minutes dead even with the Eagles, and went into the locker room at halftime with a scoreless tie. The narrative was the same for the first 15 minutes of the second frame, but in the 60th minute, the Eagles got on the board with what would turn out being the game winner.
The Tigers continued to fight but were unable to get the equalizer. With under a minute left in regulation, the Eagles added an insurance goal to make the final tally two nil.
Katelyn Beckman (So. Colorado Springs, Colo.), was in goal again for the Tigers. As she has done all season, she did her best to keep the Tigers close. She faced 14 shots on goal, and finished with 12 saves.
Coach Macharia summed up the final game, and the season saying, "It's bitter sweet to think the season is over! Sweet because we need time for students to heal! We have had three knee injuries, three concussions and many other injuries through the season that now we can allow time to heal fully. Bitter because it was our last game. With our seniors. We will miss this young ladies but such is the nature of collegiate sports.
The game itself was competitive affair! SCU was 8th in the standings while we were 9th. The winner of the game was going to be moving on to post season.
It was a back and forth game with chances for each team. The two goalkeepers played very well.
We had the best of chances in the first half with a penalty kick unfortunately we missed it.
The season has been a tough one for us we have struggled on field but I think this tough season is producing some great leaders in our squad!"
The Tigers finish the year at 1-14-1 overall, and 1-8 in SAC play. They graduate five seniors, but will get back the bulk of their starting 11 next fall.
