The Basics

Score: Evangel 1, Avila 2 | Box Score

Record: Evangel (1-4-1), Avila (1-5-0)

Location: Kansas City, Mo. (The Z)

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Valor Women's Soccer traveled to Kansas City, Missouri, on Wednesday (Sept. 3) afternoon, opening KCAC conference play against the Avila Eagles, who were slated to finish in 7th in the KCAC in the preseason coaches poll. After giving up a pair of goals in the first half, Evangel was able to score a goal to narrow the deficit, but could not generate enough offense to even the score, falling 2-1 in their conference opener. 

Avila recorded three consecutive corners to open the game, but came up empty on the solid offensive chances. Evangel responded with two chances of their own with a shot by Reese Hertel nearly scoring, but a save by the Eagles keeper kept the game scoreless. Neither team could generate any offense for the first 29 minutes of the game. A yellow card was called on Evangel at the 30:10 mark of the game, giving Avila a chance on a free kick. The free kick was able to sneak past the Valor back line, finding an Avila attacker, resulting in Avila's first goal of the game. Just over five minutes later, Avila scored their second goal of the match, taking a 2-0 lead over the Valor. EU was unable to record an additional shot after the second goal as they trailed, 2-0, heading into halftime.

The Valor turned up the offensive pressure in the second half as Anna Crain was able to make a nice play just four minutes into the second half, juking out a back line defender and finding a one-on-one opportunity that she converted, making it 2-1 in the game. Chloe Hancock had a strong second half, not allowing Avila to score on several chances, giving the Valor a chance to even the score. Evangel had a great opportunity at the 69th minute, using three corners to generate three different shot attempts, but the Valor could not find the back of the net on either of the three attempts. At the 78:15 in the game, Anna Crain had an opportunity to score as the keeper left the goal a little early, but a nice defensive save by Avila kept EU from the equalizer. Evangel would have offensive possession in the attacking zone, but Avila's defense denied any opportunity for another score as EU fell, 2-1.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Anna Crain scored her fifth goal of the season in the loss.

• Evangel outshot the Eagles, 14-7, in the game.

• McKenzie Calhoun and Anna Crain both recorded two shots on goal.

QUOTABLE

"Although I am disappointed in the final result, I am very proud of our play in response to conceding those two set piece goals in the first half," Women's Soccer Head Coach Bruce Deaton stated. "If we can take the play from the second half and put that together for a full 90 minutes, we will be very dangerous going forward. We scored on a very nice goal and created a number of real chances but couldn't equalize. I am proud of the team's response as they were challenged at halftime to step up their play in that second half and they sure did."

UP NEXT

Evangel Women's Soccer returns home on Saturday (Sept. 16) afternoon, taking on the Kansas Wesleyan Coyotes at 12:00 p.m. in Springfield, Mo.

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.