Mustangs win battle of unbeatens

Kate Merical's first collegiate goal was enough to earn TMU Women's Soccer a victory over Saint Katherine on Saturday in a battle of unbeaten teams.
 
"It was great to get Kate Merical her first collegiate goal with a great cross from Emma Hopkins," Master's Head Coach Curtis Lewis said. "That's two goals this year where we crossed it from one wing back and the opposite wing back scored the goal."
 
The Mustangs dominated the first half of play, outshooting the visiting Firebirds 13-2, but had nothing to show for it.
 
TMU looked poised to take a lead less than two minutes into the second half when Merical earned the Mustangs a penalty kick after being taken down in the box.
 
Elizabeth Radmilovich stepped up to take the penalty, but her spot kick glanced off the outside of the right post and away from goal, keeping the game level.
 
That's when Merical took matters into her own hands just under 12 minutes later. Emma Hopkins drove past her defender on the left flank and whipped in a cross along the ground, with Merical crashing the back post to put the Mustangs ahead in the 58th minute.
 
TMU looked likely to add to its lead later in the second half, when Hopkins and Borman both saw shots from outside the 18-yard box hit the cross bar and bounce down, but the Mustangs were unable to add to their lead.
 
While Master's outshot Saint Katherine by 14 for the game, the Firebirds looked dangerous a few times on the counterattack in the second half, tallying nine shots. However, TMU goalkeeping deputy Payton Williams (six saves) was there each time to thwart any shot on target.
 
"I'm really proud of Payton and the defense for getting a shutout on the day," Lewis said. "The craziness at the end of the game was a good test of how we can handle things when they get chaotic. The good things is that we still locked it down enough for the shutout and we learned the importance of closing out a game and killing it off."
 
Lewis was pleased with his attack as well, hoping that his team will be rewarded more often in future games.
 
"Our forwards and offensive midfielders really connected and combined well today," Lewis said. "Hopefully more of those will turn into goals in the coming games."
 
Master's is scheduled to return to Reese Field on Thursday against Marymount California University for a 3 p.m. kickoff.