ABILENE, Texas – The McMurry University women's soccer team used two second half goals to defeat the Tigers of East Central University on Sunday afternoon at Edwards Field.
The Tigers came out strong in the first half as they outshot the War Hawks 7-2 in the opening frame, but solid play from keeper
Chanel Felder kept East Central at bay, and the teams went into the half with a 0-0 tie.
Just five minutes into the second half, the War Hawks capitalized on a free kick, as
Aleria Luna found the top half of the net from 50 yards away to put McMurry up 1-0.
“When I recruited Aleria, I knew she had a cannon of a leg, and she really displayed it on that goal.” said head coach
Alan Riches.
The War Hawks would then added an insurance goal just 12 minutes later as
Savannah Whitaker drew a penalty in the goal box, and on the ensuing penalty kick, junior
Rachel Moore connected with the back of the net for her first goal of the season to put McMurry up 2-0. Neither team would score the rest of the way and the War Hawks won by the same score.
For McMurry, Luna and Moore both notched two points, with Luna scoring her second goal of the season. Felder made eight saves in the contest while picking up her second straight shutout.
“Chanel was a little shaky to start the season, but you can tell that her confidence is continuing to grow and she is settling in nicely in goal for us,” remarked Riches of his junior keeper.
With the victory, the War Hawks pushed their record to over .500 for the first time in the program's 12-year history. This is also the program's first three-game unbeaten streak since the 2006 season.
“To have a successful team you have to have a lot of heart, and that is something that I felt we were lacking in previous years,” remarked coach Riches. “It took us two years, and we have five players last season who had a lot of heart. Luckily for us they are all back, and now we have a whole team that plays that way.”
In their next contest, the War Hawks will travel to Dallas where they will take on the Patriots of Dallas Baptist University. The game is scheduled for a 5 p.m. start.
