SILOAM SPRINGS -- Three upperclassmen recorded braces and newcomer Julia Lambert scored in her collegiate debut and dished out two assists to power the No. 20 John Brown University women's soccer team to a lopsided 7-1 win over Evangel (Mo.) in the season opener on Saturday (Aug. 19) evening at Alumni Field.
Junior Elise Bosma and seniors Gifte Pavatt and Lauren Walter each tallied a pair of goals. Bosma and Walter added an assist apiece for a five-point outing, respectively.
In goal, sophomore Regan Riley made her second-career start for the Golden Eagles (1-0-0), picking up her first-career win with a pair of first-half saves. Riley then gave way to senior Emily Dobbins in the intermission, as Dobbins handed in a pair of saves in the final 45 minutes of play.
𝗡𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗥 𝗚𝗜𝗩𝗘 𝗨𝗣 𝗢𝗡 𝗔 𝗣𝗟𝗔𝗬! Gifte's goal with .8 seconds left in the half handed No. 20 John Brown University a commanding 3-0 lead at the intermission in a 7-1 season-opening victory over Evangel (Mo.) on Saturday night.
Posted by John Brown University Athletics on Sunday, August 20, 2023
John Brown's first goal of the 2023 campaign came off Bosma's upper body deep in the box off a lovely corner service from sophomore Bella Graber at the right flag in the 29th minute.
Before the break, the Golden Eagles saw its lead triple in the waning minutes of the first half, both courtesy of Pavatt. The first of consecutive goals came as Pavatt capitalizing on a gorgeous combination play through the midfield, initiated by senior Alyssa Henderson. Henderson's pass ahead was flicked through the back line by senior Rachel Stone, springing Pavatt into a one-on-one with Valor keeper Chloe Hancock - which Pavatt bested to register the game-winner.
Then, with the clock winding down before halftime, junior Grace Bishop's shot from the left side rebounded into the middle, where Pavatt hastily lofted a second offering at goal over Hancock. The ball found its intended target with just eight-tenths of a second remaining to complete the first-half brace just 2:18 apart.
The second half featured a combined five goals, beginning with a Lambert cross from the right flank that perfectly landed at the feet of Walters in a crowded box. While Hancock made an incredible reaction save on the first attempt, Walter negotiated around the pair of Valor defenders to easily deposit the rebound into the awning goal to push the John Brown lead to four in the 48th.
After Evangel scored 24 seconds later to break the clean sheet, the hosts posted three goals in the final 30 minutes of play.
The gap widened to 5-1 when Bosma carried the ball in a solo effort through the midfield, beat a pair of Valor defenders, cut to her right and let go a 15-yard shot to the far left pocket of the goal to complete her first-career multi-goal game. The goal kicked off a three-goal John Brown outburst in less than five minutes.
Under two minutes later in the 63rd, Bosma and Walter combined to setup Lambert for her first-career goal that she ripped to the left side of goal. Bosma moved the ball upfield before Walter's cross originated from the left flank. But, Lambert wasn't done showing out in her collegiate debut.
Two minutes after that, Walter moved the ball upfield to Lambert who cut to the left on the attack. Walter folded in behind and moved towards the mouth of the goal before Lambert expertly negotiated a pass back to Walter just yards from goal. Despite of a pair of defenders nearby, Walter easily won the battle and tapped in a gorgeous goal to complete the scoring.
John Brown held lopsided advantages in all categories, inclduing shots (37-5), shots on target (20-5) and corner kicks (11-0).
The Golden Eagles return to action on Friday (Aug. 25) at Alumni Field by welcoming No. 25 MidAmerica Nazarene (Kan.) to Siloam Springs for First Friday Fútbol action. Kickoff is scheduled for 5:35 p.m. John Brown University will also unveil the brand-new Champions Pavillion during the festivites.
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