Soccer teams split matches with Oklahoma Christian
By: David Toelle, KWU Sports Information

KWU's Jonathan McCormick heads a ball during the first half of KWU's 3-1 Men's Soccer win over Oklahoma Christian

Kansas Wesleyan entertained Oklahoma Christian in its second home matches of the season, and the Coyotes split the two matches with the Eagles, with the women losing 3-1, and the men winning 3-1 on Saturday night at Salina Stadium.

In the women’s match it seemed like the Coyotes were sluggish out of the gate, and made several mental mistakes that cost them goals. It was not like Wesleyan did not have chances, as the Coyotes outshot Oklahoma Christian 18-13, but just could not find the net.

Rachelle Medina got off KWU’s first shot in the match, but missed wide, and Heather Muilenburg had a chance in the fourth minute, but could not convert. Back-to-back corners from Megan Couch were also unproductive as the Eagles managed to clear the ball both times.

OC struck first in the 31st minute. Emma Cole took a ball down the middle of the field, and Wesleyan keeper Stephanie Cottam came out to make a play, but Cole flicked it over her head and in for the score.

The Eagles took a 1-0 lead into the break, and increased their lead to 2-0 in the 51st minute. Jill Lintner converted this time for OC. After breaking free when Wesleyan defender Marisa Brownell slipped and fell, Lintner fired a shot from just outside the 18-yard box that froze Cottam in her tracks and the ball rolled in just inside the left post.

Just eight minutes later, the Coyotes cut the lead in half with a goal from Holly Fulton. A Wesleyan player sent a hard cross into the box that hit a Coyote player and deflected out to Fulton, who sent a rocket back through traffic and past OC keeper Lisa Jorgensen.

The Eagles put the match on ice with a final goal in the 68th minute. Brownell was given a yellow card, and on the ensuing free kick, Cole sent a ball in that hit the bottom of the cross bar and then the right post and deflected in for the score.

Wesleyan (3-4-1) could not get its offense going the rest of the match and dropped the contest 3-1. Kat Benton led the way with five shots, one on goal, but no scores, as the Coyotes took 18 shots with 12 of them on goal, only coming away with one score. Cottam gave up three goals and recorded four saves in net for the Coyotes.

Cole scored twice for OC, and led the Eagles with six shots, three of them on frame.

The men’s match was a complete reversal of fortune for the Coyotes, who had lost their last four matches before tying with William Jewell a week ago. The Coyotes got three goals from three different players and used a strong defensive effort to come away with a 3-1 win over the Eagles.

Juan Mundo got the first goal of the night for the Coyotes in the 14th minute on a wild play. After a foul was called on Oklahoma Christian, Mundo took the direct kick and fired it directly into the two players blocking the goal. The ball came back out to Mundo, who then fired it back into the goal for the score.

Almost exactly ten minutes later the Coyotes hit paydirt again. Art Guizar first a shot that was blocked by a OC defender that rebounded right back out to him, and he was able to convert the second try for the score to put the Coyotes up 2-0 in the 24th minute.

The rest of the first half was played in the middle of the field, as only two more shots, one by each team, were taken in the remainder of the time.

Oklahoma Christian got its lone goal in the 50th minute on an odd play. After a Wesleyan foul, Will Binder took the direct kick that bounced once and was headed in by the Eagles’ Matt Lambert for the score.

Wesleyan had several other chances to pull away, and finally got the icer in the 86th minute off a beautifully placed corner kick from Jose Garay to Derek Dodrill. After Mario Rodriguez’ shot was saved off the goal line by OC keeper Bryan Cochrum, Garay played in a corner kick from the left side right to Dodrill, who headed the ball home for the score to put the Coyotes up 3-1.

OC had a couple of late chances, but could not convert as the Coyotes won for the first time since the season opener on September 1.

Wesleyan (2-5-1) outshot the Eagles 22-8, led by Guizar with eight shots, three on goal and one in net. Carillo gave up just one goal in net for the Coyotes, while recording three saves.

Lambert had two shots as did Neil Hilton to lead Oklahoma Christian. Cochrum gave up three goals and recorded five saves on the night.

Wesleyan is back in action on Wednesday when the Coyotes head to Parkville, Mo., to take on the Park Pirates at Julian Field. Park’s women are ranked No.16 in the latest NAIA poll, and the Pirate men are ranked No.11. The men will play first at 5:00, with the women to follow at about 7:30. The Coyotes then open KCAC play next Saturday at Sterling College.

-- KWU SI --