The Emporia State Women’s Soccer team played both the Newman University Jets and the University of Central Oklahoma Bronchos this past weekend, facing off against the Jets on Friday, Sept. 27 followed by the Bronchos on Sunday, Sept. 29.
In the MIAA opener on Friday afternoon, the Hornets won 2-0 against the Jets at the ESU pitch.
Emporia started off strong with three shots within the first seven minutes. ESU applied great pressure defensively and held Newman to only five shot attempts in the first half, while the Hornets had 11 shot attempts.
The first goal of the game came from Megan Jeremias, whose shot made for her second goal of the season as a sophomore midfielder. The next goal followed shortly after when ESU won a free kick. Junior defender Ella Ruliffson played the ball into the center of the box where freshman forward Megan Kephart scored her first career goal and left Emporia leading 2-0 just before halftime.
The Jets failed to score after the half but also managed to hold Emporia off from adding to the score. The Hornets took the MIAA opener 2-0.
The outcome of ESU’s match against UCO on Sunday was not the same as Friday’s outcome against Newman. Emporia fell short to the Bronchos 3-1.
Central Oklahoma scored the first goal of the match with the ball at the near post going just past junior goalkeeper Mackenzi Goen. Soon after, UCO took a tough shot through traffic that went past Goen to give UCO another point.
There were three shot attempts from players Hadlie Lowe, Megyn Mahloch and Avery Zimmerman, but came just short of a goal in the first half. Unable to score, ESU left UCO in the lead 2-0 at half.
Zimmerman was not done taking shots in the second half. Within the first four minutes, the freshman forward scored her first career goal, giving Emporia an opportunity to come back with the score 2-1. During the second period, ESU took more shot attempts than UCO, but did not manage to even the score.
The Bronchos got a free kick in the 86th minute and defeated the Hornets 3-1.
The Emporia State Women’s Soccer team will have only one match next week. They will play at Fort Hays State on Sunday, Oct. 6 at 2:00 p.m.
