Women's Soccer | 9/3/2010 2:17:05 PM
Game Notes (PDF)
Live Stats
Match Preview
The McPherson College women’s soccer team continues its five game home stand Saturday afternoon against the University of Sioux Falls. The match is set to begin at 12:00 p.m. CST from McPherson Stadium in McPherson, Kan. A link to Live Stats will be available at www.macbulldogs.com.
McPherson (0-1-0) will be looking for its first win of the 2010 campaign this Saturday after suffering a season opening loss to Concordia University (Neb.) last Wednesday. Over the past two seasons, McPherson is 1-2-1 against GPAC opponents.
Senior midfielder Amanda Aragon is the current team leader in points and goals as she netted MC’s only point in the 11th minute against Concordia.
Following Sioux Falls, McPherson will remain home for a midweek contest against Manhattan Christian College on Wednesday, Sept. 8 at McPherson Stadium. Last season, the Bulldogs defeated MCC 2-0 in
Manhattan, Kan.
Recapping the Last Match
The Bulldogs fell in their season opening match against Concordia University, 2-1, last Wednesday
evening at McPherson Stadium. McPherson opened the scoring in the 11th minute when Richelle Mascaro played a long ball to Amanda Aragon. However, Concordia answered back in the 36th as Jamie Sanchez ripped a goal from around 30 yards out. Sanchez struck again with 10 seconds left in the first half to give Concordia a 2-1 lead heading into the break. The Bulldogs were unable to net any of their chances in the second 45, losing the match 2-1.
Scouting USF
The Cougars (0-1-0) dropped their season opener on the road at Park University, 6-0. The Pirates scored three goals in the first half and notched another round of three in the second half en route to the 6-0 victory. Despite the loss, USF has high hopes and expectations to build off a successful 2009 campaign.
Last season, the Cougars won a school record 10 matches and finished fifth in the GPAC with a 7-4-1 conference mark. The success gained the Cougars the No. 6 ranking in the GPAC preseason poll.
Honorable Mention All-GPAC award winners Genevieve Gregory and Brooke Jurgens captain an experienced Cougars backline that recorded eight shutouts and played a key role in the team’s 10 wins a year ago.
Along with a strong defense, first team All-GPAC selection Tasia Murray returns for her senior season to lead the Cougar offensive attack. In 2009, Murray tied for the team lead with seven goals, including four
game winners. She also tallied three assists.
Head coach Mekonnen Afa (National American University) is currently in his fourth season at the helm of USF and has compiled a 21-33-3 career record. Prior to the University of Sioux Falls, Afa was the head girl’s coach at Roosevelt High School (Sioux Falls, S.D.), where he posted a 40-2-8 record, including a trip to the South Dakota State Championships.
Series Breakdown
McPherson is 1-0-0 against the Cougars. The two sides met for the first time last season. The match ended in a 2-1 win for the Bulldogs. Whitney Williams netted both MC goals.
