Photo by Kami Wood
McPherson, Kan. – The Central Christian College women's soccer team opened their 2023 campaign with a 7-1 to crosstown rival McPherson College. Dealing with a rash of preseason injuries and numerous players still waiting on the NAIA to process their eligibility, the Tigers had just 10 of the 25 players on their roster healthy and available for the match with the Bulldogs.
Despite the long odds, the Tigers came out on the attack, putting pressure on the Bulldog midfield and back line. The Tigers got on the board first, striking in the 16th minute. Avery Lemons (So. Overland Park, Kan.), took a pass from Amaleigh Mattison (Jr. Hutchinson, Kan.) and fired a shot from the right side of the 18 yard box, far post past the diving Bulldog keeper.
Midway through the first half, Celena Vanhaezebrouk (So. Houston, Texas), who anchors the Tigers' back line, went down with an injury, leaving the Tigers to play the rest of the first half with just nine players. The Tigers were able to weather the Bulldog attack the rest of the half and went into the intermission up 1-0.
In the second half, the Tigers were still without Vanhaezebrouk, looked fatigued right out of the gate. The Bulldogs capitalized, getting the equalizer, just 40 seconds into second frame. A minute later they took their first lead of the game, and then added five more goals in the final 40 minutes.
Katelyn Beckman (So. Colorado Springs, Colo.) was in goal for the Tigers. She faced 17 shots on goal, and came away with 10 saves. Had she not made several spectacular saves, the score would have been much worse.
Second year head coach, Joshua Macharia summed up the season opener by saying, "What a game! That was not, the way we wanted to start the season but you have to play the hand your dealt. Starting a game, a player down is never ideal but in the first half our girls played really well. Even going two down in numbers , we maintained our composure and kept our lead. In the second half we got tired, and we made some basic mistakes due to fatigue." He added, "It's hard to take any positives with a score line like that, but I am proud of our nine players who kept on fighting. Now we prepare for Bethany College next week, trying to heal our injured and getting six other players cleared by the NAIA."
The Tigers, now 0-1, will be back in action next Friday evening, on the road in Lindsborg, Kan. against the Bethany College Swedes.
