MNU women's soccer traveled to Park University for their first game of the 2010 season. The temperature was 102 with a heat index of 108 to 109. “It was the one of the hottest days we have practiced or played in and it really took a tool on both teams," said Coach Orton. MNU opened the scoring just 8 minutes into the game. Junior Kate Williams finished off a corner kick to put the Pioneers up 1-0. The game went back and forth in the excessive heat with both teams coming close to scoring. MNU took a 1-0 lead into half time. Mid way through the 2nd half Park scored on a missed clearance. “It was a very unlucky goal to give up," said Orton. "We had played well to that point defensively and to give up a goal like that was very frustrating." MNU fought back, only to give up another goal about 10 minutes later. Park played a nice slotted pass and the Park forward hit the shot from outside the box to give Park the lead at 2-1. MNU battled back and with 25 seconds on the clock MNU tied the game. "The goal we scored is what we have been working on all preseason," said Orton. "It was a beautiful build up with possession.
Rebecca McAndrew gave a perfect pass to
Alyssa Howard who tied the game at two." But only 3 minutes into overtime, Park scored the game winning off a rebounded clearance that went perfectly to the Park forward.
The loss brings MNU to 0-1 on the year. The next game is at Southern Nazarene University in Bethany, Oklahoma on
September 4th.
