credit – www.kwucoyotes.com
Making their 11th consecutive appearance in the KCAC Women’s Soccer Championship, the Kansas Wesleyan Coyotes routed Oklahoma Wesleyan 4-0 on Saturday night at Hummer Sports Park to advance to the NAIA Women’s Soccer National Championship Opening Round for the first time since 2012.
Oklahoma Wesleyan entered the match as the No. 1 seed in the tournament after defeating Bethany in the semifinals Thursday night. KWU was the No. 3 seed advancing with a harrowing 1-0 win over Ottawa in the other semifinal.
After an evenly played first half, the Coyotes capitalized late in the first half when Noemy Castro (SR/Riverside, Calif.) scored from the top of the 18-yard box in the 44th minute to send the Coyotes into the break leading 1-0.
Oklahoma Wesleyan had a few chances to start the second half, but the Coyotes would score three goals in the final 23 minutes to come away with the 4-0 rout. The second goal of the match came on a set piece when Emma Rogers (SR/Clovis, Calif.)’ corner kick found the waiting head of Breanna Bodiford(SR/Apple Valley, Calif.) for the score in the 68th minute.
Brittany Johanson (JR/Hesperia, Calif.) scored off an assist from Karlee Perez (SR/Highland, Calif.) in the 77th minute and Rogers capped the scoring in the 80th minute. Not satisfied, the Coyotes continued to press, nearly scoring twice more down the stretch.
The Coyotes outshot the Eagles 17-6 with 11 of the shots on goal led by Cynthia Chavez (JR/Palm Springs, Calif.) with four.Rachel Cardwell (SR/Phoenix, Ariz.) recorded the clean sheet in goal for the Coyotes.
KWU advances to the NAIA Women’s Soccer National Championship Opening Round to be played next Saturday at campus sites around the country. National Championship qualifiers, Opening Round hosts and pairings will be announced in a special National Championship Selection Show on Monday at 11 a.m., streamed live at naianetwork.com. KWU will host a watch party for the selection show in the Hauptli Student Center on Monday.
