OKLAHOMA CITY -- Despite creating numerous scoring chances and firing 20 shots towards goal, the No. 19 John Brown University women's soccer team was unable to capitalize in a 2-0 loss to Mid-America Christian (Okla.) on Tuesday night (Oct. 8) at Dill Field.
With the loss, the Golden Eagles (6-5-1, 3-1-0 Sooner Athletic) saw its three-match winning streak come to an end, suffering its first conference defeat of the season. Mid-America Christian (8-2-2, 3-1-0) secured the win behind a pair of second-half goals from Brae Baker and Deborah Silveira, and broke a 14-match winless streak against the Blue and Gold dating back to 2011.
After a tightly contested, scoreless first half, the Evangels broke through in the 57th minute. Asley Baker delivered a pass ahead into the box on the counter-attack, and her sister Brae Baker finished with a well-timed strike around freshman Marely Fonseca for her eighth goal of the season, giving MACU a 1-0 lead.
The hosts doubled the advantage just 10 minutes later when Deborah Silveira capitalized on a loose ball in the box. Fonseca's clearance attempt deflected off Silveira and caromed high and backwards over 20 yards into the empty goal, extending the gap to 2-0 and earning Silveira her fifth goal of the season.
John Brown controlled large portions of the game, outshooting the Evangels 20-11, including a 10-4 shooting advantage in the second half. Despite its efforts, the Golden Eagles were denied by MACU's goalkeeper Rachel Torres, who made five important saves to keep a clean sheet. Fonseca recorded six saves of her own, making several key stops, particularly in the first half.
The visiting side was only able to direct five of its 20 shot attempts on frame. The Golden Eagles earned five corner kicks compared to MACU's two but were unable to convert those opportunities into goals. Both teams played a physical match, with JBU committing nine fouls and MACU whistled for 11.
John Brown will look to regroup on Tuesday (Oct. 15) when they return to the pitch in McPherson, Kan. to face Central Christian at 3:30 p.m. The mid-afternoon clash will be carried live on the SAC Sports Network.
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