Box Score Kate Merical's goal in the 38th minute of the first half proved the difference maker as The Master's women's soccer team defeated No. 11 Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (AZ) 1-0 Thursday on Reese Field.
The Eagles dominated with 18 shots against the Lady Mustangs' eight, with nine of those 18 shots on goal compared to just three on goal for TMU.
But the only number that matters is what's on the scoreboard.
TMU Head Coach Esteban Chavez points directly to the team's last game, a 2-1 loss to Soka, as the motivator for the team's performance against Embry-Riddle.
"Even though we lost that last game, the way we responded to that adversity translated to this win because this team (Embry-Riddle) was very good," Coach Chavez said. "They are ranked that high for a reason and our response as far as toughness and commitment was translated to this game here. That had a lot to do with us responding to that pressure (from last game)."
With less than eight minutes to play in the first half,
Alina Bench found herself trapped in the corner and was able to kick the ball off a defender to force a TMU corner kick.
Breanna Fajardo took the corner, directing the ball toward the near post, where
Kate Merical was able to head it past the keeper for the goal.
Sinclair Francescon led the team with three shots (one on goal) with two from
Harmony Rohde and one each from Merical,
Bryanna Elias and
Breanna Fajardo.
In the loss against Soka, The Lady Mustangs (4-1, 1-0) also lost Goalkeeper
Autumn Jensen to injury. In her place in the conference opener was true freshman
Savannah Kuhlberg, who stepped up in a big way giving the team its first shutout of the season and collecting nine saves.Â
"Her response was outstanding," Coach Chavez said. "Look, I pulled her off last game (against Soka), and that should mess with your confidence. That could have effected her negatively. But instead she responded like she is supposed to respond as a goalkeeper. It is a very difficult position and you have to be very brave and be able to block out any mistakes and insecurities and she responded well. For the first start of her career to be against a team like this, that was outstanding."
The Master's will next travel to La Mirada to take on Hope International on Saturday. Kickoff is scheduled for 11:30 a.m.
