The Master's University got first half goals from
Kate Merical and
Harmony Rohde, and second half goals from
Sinclair Francescon and Hannah Kopp, to defeat the Arizona Christian Firestorm 4-2 Saturday in Santa Clarita, Calif.
The Mustangs (12-3-1, 9-2-1 GSAC) totaled 15 shots in the first half and another 14 in the second to out-shoot ACU 29-7 in the match.
Kopp made the most of her switch back up to the forward spot after spending the majority of the season on the back line.
"The response to that change was very good," said Head Coach Esteban Chavez. "The response has been solid on both ends. It was good to show something different and for our girls to respond was good. And obviously points that we needed to continue to go up the table and also with the hopes of us trying to get a home game [for the post-season].
Merical's goal came in the fifth minute of the match off an assist from Francescon. 24 minutes later it was Rohde's turn to find the back of the net off an assist from
Bekah Micu. That 2-0 score took the teams into the locker room at the half.
Nearly 14 minutes into the second half, Francescon's unassisted goal put TMU up 3-0. Nearly 16 minutes later, a little more than a minute after ACU got their first goal of the match, It was Hannah Kopp who banged in her 17th career goal, off another assist from Francescon, to put The Master's back up by three.
"All Sinclair needs is one or two plays to make a difference," Coach Chavez said. "She's one of those players that, at any given time, she's going to create scoring opportunities. It doesn't matter one hour of greatness or one moment, she just capitalizes on her opportunities."
The Firestorm added another goal with 1:06 to play to make it a 4-2 final.
Kopp led the team with seven shots, with Rohde getting off six and Merical four.
Grace LaCroix had three saves in goal for the Mustangs.
The Master's has qualified for the four-team GSAC Championship Tournament. The team that wins the regular season championship will host the tournament, and right now the Mustangs are in third.
TMU will be home next week for the final two games of the season. The Mustangs will host the Hope International Royals on Thursday beginning at 1:30 p.m., with Life Pacific coming to Reese Field next Saturday on what will be Senior Day for the team.
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