KWU advances in first round on NAIA Championships
Two goals 43 seconds apart give Coyotes 2-0 win over host Eagles
By: David Toelle, KWU Sports Information

Eliana Parada makes a play during the Coyotes' first round win over Embry-Riddle (Fla.) in the NAIA Women's Soccer National Championships Photo Courtesy of ERAU Sports Information

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Kansas Wesleyan scored two goals 43 seconds apart late in the first half to beat the host Embry-Riddle Eagles in the first round of the NAIA Women’s Soccer National Championships.

KWU, the No.13 seed in the tournament, was held well below its NAIA-leading 33 shots per match, only managing 12 against a tough, physical team in Embry-Riddle.

"That was the toughest draw you could have," KWU coach Mike Dibbini said. "They were very, very good. Their record is no indication of how good they are. They're one of the top two teams we've played. They were very athletic and had size and strength.
Wesleyan’s first chance came in the sixth minute on a shot from Juliet Cervantes, but ERAU keeper Stephanie Taylor made the stop.

The Coyotes would capitalize in the 43rd minute for the first goal of the match. Eliana Parada would take the ball just beyond midfield and go one on one with Taylor, sliding one past to the left to make it 1-0.

It would only take 43 seconds for Wesleyan to find (21-1-1) the net again. Angela Padilla would find Janna Macy for a score in the 44th minute to put Wesleyan up 2-0.

"Once we got our feet under us and settled down we were okay. We had a lot of jitters,” Dibbini said. “That first 15 - 20 minutes, we really had to battle. They had lot of urgency playing in front of home their crowd and were fresh after not having to travel.”

The Eagles (7-11) would get a chance just before half when Elina Johansson would get a shot off, but Wesleyan keeper Kelli Beatty would make the stop giving KWU the 2-0 halftime lead.

The Coyotes would be outshot 10-5 in the second half, with Beatty making stops on all five of the shots on frame.

Embry-Riddle had a chance in the final minute to erase the shutout on a set piece. Johansson would take a corner kick, and place it into Jessica Diego for the shot that was deflected by Beatty. Diego’s shot on the rebound would hit the post and the follow from Kristen Phelps would again be stopped by Beatty.

ERAU would outshoot KWU 15-12 in the match, while both teams had only seven shots on frame. Macy led Wesleyan with three shots, while Parada had two, both on goal. Beatty would tally seven saves in the match, while Taylor would only have five for Embry-Riddle, and would allow two goals.

Kansas Wesleyan advances to the second round of the NAIA Championship today against No.4 seed Concordia (Ore.). The Cavaliers enter the match with a 17-2-1 record, and received a bye through the first round.

-- KWU SI --