Box Score

ABILENE, Texas – McMurry's women more than doubled their shot total from their previous match, but a hat trick by Wayland Baptist University's forward Kathleen Stewart, including a goal in the final minute of the game, was enough to beat McMurry at Edwards Field 3-1 on Friday.

In the 18th minute, the Pioneer's Stewart began to take matters into her own hands as she took a deflected pass and dribbled through two McMurry defenders to beat goalie Hillari Chambers. Stewart struck again in the 51st minute when she took a chip pass from Najuka Anderson and beat Chambers to the bottom right corner for the Pioneers' second goal of the contest.

Stephanie Nevels came off the bench and took seven shots on goal for McMurry. In the 56th minute, she took a pass from Erin Ray and took a left footed shot from the edge of the box and placed it into the upper right 90 for McMurry's second goal of the season. Nevels' goal marks the first time since 2005 that the women's soccer program has began a season with a goal in each of the first two games.

Stewart finished off her hat trick with a goal in the 89th minute after WBU's Haley Hill's shot ricochet off the post and Stewart took the rebound and placed it in the net.

McMurry's 15 shots with five on goal more than doubles both totals from Wednesday's loss to Lubbock Christian. Head Coach Alan Riches said he was very encouraged by McMurry's performance Friday.

“We definitely saw vast improvement in 48 hours,” Riches said. “Chelsea Klein who has been here for two years told the team afterwards that this is the best game she has seen in her two years.”

McMurry University will play again Sunday against Houston-Tilotson University at 1 p.m. at Edwards Field.