GAME BOXSCORE
(LEBANON, Ill.-Sept. 8)-- The McKendree College women's soccer team suffered their first home loss in nearly three years with a 3-2 loss to Oklahoma Christian University. McKendree, the No. 11 ranked team in the NAIA, lost at home for the first time since September 16, 2003, a span of 26 games.
The McKendree offense was held in check for the majority of the game but mounted a late comeback to tie the game at 2-2 with just three minutes left in regulation. However the Bearcat defense allowed an Eagle goal with just over one-minute remaining, as the Bearcats lost their first game of the season.
Despite out-shooting the Eagles 8-1 in the first-half, McKendree was once again unable to create any real scoring opportunities. Oklahoma Christian scored the only goal of the first half when Kristin Brown lifted a shot from 28-yards out over the Bearcat keeper for a goal.
The Eagles took a 2-0 lead when Brown struck again at the 64-minute mark again beating the Bearcat defense and keeper. The Eagles were content on playing defense for the remainder of the game, holding McKendree to just nine shots in the second half and 17 on the game, eight below the Bearcats' season average.
The McKendree offense finally came through at the 84-minute mark when Jenna Shellenberg (Troy, Ill./Triad) (Troy, Ill./Triad) netted her second goal of the season off a pass from teammate Katelyn Cleveland (Collinsville, Ill./Collinsville) (Collinsville, Ill./Collinsville).
McKendree tied the game just two-minutes later when Laura Raymond (O' Fallon, Mo./St. Dominic) (O' Fallon, Mo./St. Dominic) buried a shot off a corner kick, again set up by Cleveland.
Oklahoma Christian bounced back, scoring the game winning goal with just over one-minute remaining in the game. Eagle Stephanie Duncan raced past the Bearcat defense and around the keeper and finished the play with a goal.
McKendree falls to 2-1 on the season and will be in action again this Sunday at home when they face Graceland University. Game time is set for 12 p.m.
