[Women's Soccer] Coccetella Strikes Late to Lift Women's Soccer Falcons over Bethany
Lindsborg, Kan. – The last time these two teams squared off, it was the Bethany College Swedes scoring an overtime goal to slip by the Friends University Falcons 1-0 last season in the KCAC postseason tournament quarterfinal round.
Tonight, the Falcons gained a measure of revenge, as sophomore Lea Coccetella (SO/Wichita, Kan. ), widely regarded for her defensive impact, contributed in a big way offensively by booting in the game-winning goal late in the second half to help the Falcons bounce back from their first conference loss and win 2-1 over the Swedes tonight (Oct. 26) in Lindsborg, Kan.
The Falcons are now 12-3 overall and remain in second place in the KCAC with a 9-1 conference mark.
"It's a sign of a good team when you don't play your best and can grind out a win," Friends head coach Brent Hobson said. "Especially this late in the season, it was a big win that will play an important role in our seeding in the post season tournament."
Coccetella's goal snapped the 1-1 gridlock and came with less than seven minutes remaining off an assist from Emma Girtz (SO/Valley Center, Kan. ).
After the match was scoreless through the first 27 minutes of the match, each squad got on the board over a two minute span.
Melissa Estrada opened the scoring for the Swedes with a goal at the 27:22 mark, followed closely by Jazelle Gonzalez (SR/Dallas, Texas)'s team-high 10 goal of the season for the Falcons that tied the score.
Gonzalez had a match-high six shots and Cassidy Darrah (SR/Wichita, Kan.) chipped in with five shot attempts to help the Falcons hold an 18-9 edge in shots overall while also out-shooting the Swedes 9-4 on-goal.
Lauren Ferguson (SR/Wentzville, Mo. ) made three saves in the net for Friends and Destinee Wells stopped seven shots for the Swedes (7-8, 5-4 KCAC).
"It was great to see our leaders, Jazelle and Lea, step up in important moments and get us to the finish line. We showed a lot of grit this game and that was great to see."
Next up, a showdown looms with No. 25-ranked and KCAC frontrunner Oklahoma Wesleyan University Wednesday evening (Oct. 30). The match is set for 6 pm at Adair-Austin Stadium. OKWU is 11-3 overall and a perfect 8-0 in the KCAC.