The Basics

Score: Evangel 3, Stephens 5 | Box Score

Record: Evangel (1-2-0), Stephens (1-1-0)

Location: Springfield, Mo. (Coryell Field)

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Valor Women's Soccer took on the Stars of Stephens on Tuesday (Aug. 29) evening, looking to grab their second consecutive win, after handedly defeating WBU, 9-0. After two quick goals to open the match, Evangel was unable to capitalize on much more additional offense, as Stephens was able to score a flurry of goals, forcing EU to fall, 5-3.

The Valor came out quick on offense, using strong defensive pressure to force Stephens into poor pass decisions. On a ball intercepted by Emily Oedewaldt, Anna Crain took off into the attacking third, as Oedewaldt placed a perfect ball for Crain to bury, giving Evangel a 1-0 lead in the first seven minutes of the game. Just five minutes later, Crain found herself an additional goal when McKenzie Calhoun passed off the ball to her feet, nailing a shot from nearly 25 yards out, pushing the Valor to an early 2-0 lead in the 12th minute. At the 25:18 mark of the game, Stephens placed their first goal on the board, cutting into the Valor lead, 2-1. In the 34th minute, the Valor made a solid tackle on a Stephens attacker, but the official ruled it a foul in the box, giving the Stars a penalty shot that they buried, tying the game at 2-2. In the final two minutes of the half, Stephens was able to again score a goal, pushing out to a 3-2 lead and forcing Evangel to make changes at halftime.

Evangel came out aggressive on offense to open the second half, racking off three shot attempts in the first four minutes of the period. Unable to capitalize, the Stars found a good one-on-one opportunity and scored their fourth goal of the match, taking a 4-2 lead. Less than three minutes later, Evangel's McKenzie Calhoun took a pair of defenders on, splitting them both, and converting her second goal of the season, to pull the Valor within a single score. With no action in the following 13 minutes, Stephens scored an additional goal, putting the game out of reach for Evangel at 5-3. The Valor would rack off eight shots in the final 19 minutes and earn five corners, but could not convert the chances into goals as they fell, 5-3.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Anna Crain recorded her third and fourth goals of the season in the loss.

• McKenzie Calhoun scored a goal and passed off an assist in the loss.

• Evangel outshot Stephens, 20-10, with nine shots on goal to the Stars eight.

QUOTABLE

"Tonight was one of those games that you create a number of opportunities to score, doing so three times, but still fall short. It is the nature of the game, you have to be strong defensively to match how well you are attacking, and that part we weren't strong enough tonight," Women's Soccer Head Coach Bruce Deaton stated. "We will focus to get better in that regard and build on our ability to create goals. I believe we will be alright."

UP NEXT

Evangel Women's Soccer concludes their homestand, taking on the William Woods Owls on Wednesday (Sept. 6) evening, 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.