The Basics

Score: Evangel 1, (20) John Brown 7 | Box Score

Record: Evangel (0-1-0), John Brown (1-0-0)

Location: Siloam Springs, Ark. (Alumni Field)

SILOAM SPRINGS, Ark. – Valor Women's Soccer opened their 2023 campaign on Saturday (Aug. 19) evening, taking on a tough, nationally ranked John Brown Golden Eagles squad. Despite scoring a goal in the first three minutes of the second half, Evangel fell to the Golden Eagles, 7-1.

Both Evangel and JBU played a tight first half, as neither team scored a goal in the first 25 minutes. Despite the Golden Eagles finding multiple opportunities, JBU was unable to convert on several shots on goal, thanks to exceptional defense from the Valor back line and from goalkeeper Chloe Hancock. The Valor found their first opportunity of the game at the 22:30 mark, when McKenzie Calhoun found a one-on-one opportunity against a defender near the goal, but was unable to score as the JBU keeper recorded the save. JBU recorded a goal in the 28th minute and EU nearly evened the score with an Anna Crain shot on goal just a minute later, but the Valor were again stifled by the Golden Eagles keeper. JBU was able to capitalize on a pair of shots to end the first half, taking a 3-0 lead into the halftime break.

JBU opened the second half with a pair of solid possessions, and recorded an additional goal in the first two minutes of the final half. Just 24 seconds following the Golden Eagle goal, the Valor found an opportunity on goal, as Maddy Wanner took possession from JBU and fed newcomer Emily Oedewaldt who used a one-on-one opportunity with the keeper to score the Valor's first goal of the season, cutting into the JBU lead, 4-1. After 10 minutes of scoreless play, JBU used a stretch of time to score an additional three goals, taking a 7-1 lead over EU. Despite shots from Grayson Murphy and Brooke Turner in the remainder of the second half, Evangel was unable to put another ball in the back of the net, falling to the nationally ranked JBU Golden Eagles, 7-1.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Oedewaldt scored her first goal as a member of the Valor Women's Soccer team in the second half.

• The duo of Hancock and Rylee Clapp recorded 12 saves against a tough JBU offense.

• Wanner recorded her first assist of the season, the fourth of her career at EU on Saturday.

• All five of Evangel's shots in game were on goal, requiring stops from the JBU keepers.

QUOTABLE

"I am proud of the ladies as they battled throughout the match. JBU was at a level above us technically and with their pace, but we played well in trying to compete at their level," Women's Soccer Head Coach Bruce Deaton stated. "We are not there yet, and as challenging as moments like this can be, they prove to ultimately benefit you when learning occurs. We will definitely learn from this and be better for it. Ultimately, I am proud of this team and see some incredible things ahead for them this season!"

UP NEXT

Evangel Women's Soccer will return home and gear up for their home opening matchup on Friday (Aug. 25) evening, against the Williams Baptist Eagles, beginning at 6:00 p.m.

For the latest information on Evangel Athletics, visit Facebook at Facebook.com/EvangelValor, Twitter (@EvangelValor), or EvangelAthletics.com. Fans can also receive updates on their favorite EU teams by downloading the Evangel Athletics Gameday App through the App Store or Google Play.