SILOAM SPRINGS, Ark. -- Junior Bella Mendieta scored twice from second-half corner-kick sequences as the No. 20 John Brown University women's soccer team claimed a pivotal 2-1 league victory over Science & Arts (Okla.) on Saturday afternoon (Oct. 3) at Alumni Field.
The matchup brought together the two programs selected by league head coaches to share the top spot in the SAC preseason poll, and John Brown (7-1-2, 3-0-0 Sooner Athletic) emerged with its ninth consecutive match without a loss while bringing the Drovers' five-match unbeaten run to an end.
Mendieta needed only two attempts to produce her first two goals of her career, breaking a scoreless deadlock in the 54th minute before doubling the advantage in the 76th. Both came from corner service, and Science & Arts later answered from a corner of its own as all three goals developed from set pieces.
The Drovers (6-5-1, 2-1-0) nearly changed the complexion of the match just six minutes in. A bouncing ball played over the JBU back line released Paula Casajus one-on-one with freshman goalkeeper Ansley Fuchs, who closed down the angle as Casajus tried to meet the ball first-time from roughly 12 yards. The attempt skipped wide right, leaving the match scoreless.
John Brown gradually found more of the attacking initiative, putting three of its six first-half shots on frame while holding Science & Arts to two attempts. Goalkeeper Rosa Lucia Forero denied juniors Holly Lanter, Tianna Jones and Katherine Keys before the teams went to the break scoreless.
The breakthrough finally arrived from the right flag at 53:32.
Sophomore Joy Long drove the corner into the six-yard area, where Mendieta rose above a cluster of four defenders and directed a header into the right side of goal for a 1-0 advantage.
The Blue and Gold nearly doubled the margin four minutes later when Jones rattled the post, but the second goal instead came from another corner in the 76th minute.
This time, service from the left flag produced a loose ball in the penalty area. Sophomore Kayah Robbins collected it and had the first effort blocked by the Drover defense, but the rebound fell to Mendieta, who buried the second chance into the right side of goal for her second of the afternoon.
Science & Arts cut the deficit in half with 6:28 remaining, again from a corner-kick sequence. The service from the right was deflected into the air and headed back toward goal before Dagbjort Gudmundsdottir finished near the goal line for her 13th goal of the season.
The Drovers could get no closer as John Brown saw out the final minutes to preserve the 2-1 decision.
JBU finished with a 14-6 advantage in total shots and placed six attempts on frame compared with three for Science & Arts. The Golden Eagles also generated eight of the match's 10 corner kicks, including seven after halftime.
Mendieta converted both of her shots, while Lanter and Robbins each generated three attempts. Fuchs (7-1-2) made two saves in the victory, while Forero stopped four for the Drovers in the loss.
John Brown takes its unbeaten run on the road Tuesday afternoon (Oct. 6), traveling to McPherson, Kan., for a 3 p.m. league matchup with Central Christian (Kan.). Live coverage will be available on the Urban Edge Network and SAC Sports Network.
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