The Park University Pirates women's soccer team hosted the Graceland University Yellowjackets for homecoming weekend on Saturday afternoon. The Pirates led comfortably 2-0 at the halftime break, but gave up three goals in the last twenty minutes of game action to drop a match that seemed destined for a homecoming victory.
The loss dropped Park to 3-5-1 overall and 1-3 in Heart of America Conference play. Meanwhile, the win improved Graceland's overall record to 4-5-2. It was also the first conference win for the Yellowjackets, as they are now 1-3 in conference play.
The first twenty minutes of play saw neither team able to generate much offensive pressure, with Graceland's Chloe Montera providing the only shot on goal that went straight into the arms of Pirates goalkeeper Frankie Williams. This was until the '23 mark when junior Megan Everhart went streaking by the defense down the left side of the field and laced the ball into the back of the net.
Over the next ten minutes, shots were traded by both sides, and each team made several substitutions to try to take advantage of some fresher legs at the end of the first half. This proved to be more successful for the Pirates when Lilli Porsch scored her fourth goal of the season on a high shot that was assisted by Cecilie Esbak Pedersen. This score at '37 gave Park the 2-0 advantage that would hold until the end of the first half.
After the halftime break, the Pirates maintained the edge in ball pressure and shot attempts. This included two shots on goal by Emma Le. This would only hold true until around seventy minutes into the match.
The Yellowjackets got on the board at '71 with some fancy dribbling by Chloe Montera on a goal that saw her split two defenders before taking her shot. Park was then holding strong to their 2-1 lead until a sky ball by Montera bounced dangerously into the Pirate box. That errant pass was eventually tracked down by Wissal Rafik, and she tied the match at 2-2 with eleven minutes to play.
At that point, all the momentum had shifted to the Yellowjackets, so Park brought the starting lineup back in to try to get a last minute goal. This would provide the Pirates with some scoring opportunities, but none of the three shots on goal over the next five minutes would make it past Yellowjackets goalkeeper Maggie Peterson.
With a draw looming closer, the Yellowjackets would instead shock the home crowd with another goal by Montera that was assisted by Cassidy Andrews with only three minutes left to play.
Park could not muster another goal in the waning moments with their remaining advances down the field, and Graceland escaped with a 3-2 road victory.
The Pirates outshot the Yellowjackets overall during the match 23-19 and committed less fouls with ten compared to fifteen called on Graceland players. Graceland had the corner kick advantage 7-2 over Park throughout the match.
The Pirates will be back on the road next to face Central Methodist University on Wednesday, October 2 in Fayette, Mo. WATCH HERE
Box Score
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