ADA, Okla. — Mississippi Christian used a three-goal first half and a late insurance goal to defeat East Central 4-2 Saturday at Tiger Field.
The Lady Choctaws (3-1-0) scored three times over the final 17 minutes of the opening half before withstanding a second-half rally from the Tigers (0-4-0). MC finished the match with 16 shots, including 11 on goal.
After creating several opportunities early, MC broke through in the 29th minute. Abby Badurak opened the scoring at 28:57 off an assist from Jaylen Bodry to put the Lady Choctaws in front 1-0.
MC added to its advantage with two goals in a span of 70 seconds late in the half. Brinnslee Picard found the back of the net at 42:10 off an assist from Jadyn LoBue-Holzer to double the lead.
LoBue-Holzer followed at 43:20, scoring off assists from Karah Boydstun and Badurak to give the Lady Choctaws a 3-0 advantage heading into halftime. The goal eventually stood as the game-winner.
MC controlled much of the opening half, outshooting East Central 9-5 and putting six attempts on goal. The Lady Choctaws also earned all four corner kicks in the period.
East Central responded immediately after the break, scoring at 46:16 to cut the deficit to two. The Tigers struck again at 56:54, trimming MC's lead to 3-2 and putting pressure on the Lady Choctaws over the remainder of the half.
Goalkeeper Paityn Settlemires and the MC defense kept the Tigers from finding the equalizer. Settlemires made a save at 68:39 as the Lady Choctaws withstood a stretch of four East Central attacking attempts from 68:39 to 79:17 without conceding.
MC regained the momentum down the stretch. Badurak, Michelle Melancon and Olivia Graham each put attempts on goal as the Lady Choctaws began applying pressure to the East Central defense.
Kerri O'Hara put the match away in the 88th minute. O'Hara scored at 87:23 off Bodry's second assist of the afternoon, extending the advantage to 4-2 and securing the road victory.
LoBue-Holzer led MC with three points on a goal and an assist, while Badurak also recorded a goal and an assist and put all three of her shots on goal. Bodry finished with two assists, while O'Hara and Picard each scored once.
Settlemires played all 90 minutes in goal and recorded four saves.
The victory improved Mississippi Christian to 3-1-0 on the season, while East Central fell to 0-4-0.
Up Next
Mississippi Christian returns home Saturday, Sept. 12, to begin Gulf South Conference play against Union at Robert P. Longabaugh Field.
Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.
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