The Basics

Score: Evangel 3, Kansas Wesleyan 1 | Box Score

Record: Evangel (2-4-1, 1-1-0), Kansas Wesleyan (3-3-1, 1-1-0)

Location: Springfield, Mo. (Coryell Field)

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Valor Women's Soccer returned home on Saturday (Sept. 16) afternoon, hosting the Kansas Wesleyan Coyotes, looking to take their first win in KCAC conference play. A pair of goals by McKenzie Calhoun and a dagger from Alece Hershey in the final minutes solidified the Valor's 3-1 victory over KWU.

Kansas Wesleyan opened the first half with several shots on goal, but Chloe Hancock displayed exceptional defense in goal, stopping every shot attempt. The Valor found their first shot attempt of the half by Grayson Murphy, nearly scoring as the KWU keeper recorded her first save. With just six minutes left in the first half, Anna Crain took the ball up the right side of the field, drawing a pair of defenders on her. A nice cross from Crain found the feet of McKenzie Calhoun, who used a slight stutter move to juke a defender, getting enough space to hit the first goal of the game, her third of the season, as the Valor took a 1-0 lead into the halftime break.

In the first 14 minutes of the second half, the Coyotes were able to even the score at 1-1, but less than a minute later, Emily Oedewaldt received a fast break, putting a shot on goal that was blocked by the goalie. On the rebound of the shot, Calhoun found the ball, netting her second goal of the game to retake the lead, 2-1, over KWU. Both teams fought for the remainder of the second half, with both teams keeping strong offensive pressure on the other teams back lines. The Valor defense was able to hold strong and with just 3:20 remaining in the game, Alece Hershey scored the first goal of her collegiate career, hitting from roughly 20 yards out, giving EU a 3-1 lead over the Coyotes and solidifying the win for Evangel.

HIGHLIGHTS

• McKenzie Calhoun scored her third and fourth goal of the season in the win.

• Evangel earned their first win in KCAC conference play on Saturday.

• Chloe Hancock recorded nine saves in goal in the win.

QUOTABLE

"I am so proud of the ladies today. We have talked a lot about putting a full 90 minutes together and we did just that," Women's Soccer Head Coach Bruce Deaton stated. "In every aspect of the game, we played brilliantly. I absolutely loved the response after they (KWU) tied the match. Being able to score two goals after their score was special. It was a great day for Valor ladies soccer!"

UP NEXT

Evangel Women's Soccer remains at home on Wednesday (Sept. 20) evening, taking on the Friends Falcons at 5:00 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.