No. 13 Women's Soccer Falls to No. 12 Columbia

Marshall, Mo., (Aug. 29, 2023)- The Missouri Valley College men's and women's soccer teams hosted Columbia (Mo.) in Nationally ranked non-conference matches Tuesday evening inside Volney C. Ashford Stadium.  The No. 13 Viking women's team fell in its contest, while the No. 7 men's team lost by a 1-0 score.

The women's game started with Missouri Valley dropping into an early deficit, as the No. 12 Cougars scored the opening goal with just over three minutes played.  The Vikings responded with its best chance of the half, coming less than four minutes later, but the shot from Sophomore Midfielder Carla Carmona (Barcelona, Spain) was saved.  The two teams traded possession over the next few minutes, but Columbia added to its lead with 15 minutes played, to put the score at 2-0.  The next chance on goal came more than 17 minutes later, as Senior Midfielder Miluska Guevara (Panama City, Panama) tried to cut into the deficit, but her shot was saved.  Both teams struggled to create chances in the closing stages of the half, and MVC went into the break trailing, 2-0.

Both teams traded possession through much of play in the second half.  Missouri Valley was unable to build up pressure in the CC defensive side of the field.  Columbia eventually increased its lead to 3-0 after a goal midway through the half.  Freshman Defender Miranda Allison (Twin Falls, Idaho) had the first shot on goal for the Vikings near the 71-minute mark, but her shot was saved.  The Cougars held off any late rally, and Missouri Valley fell by a final score of 3-0.

The loss drops Missouri Valley to 0-3-1 on the season, while Columbia improves to 2-0.  Up next, the Viking women's soccer team travels to Bourbonnais, Ill., for two matches.  The first is Sept. 9 at 5 p.m., against No. 4 Cumberlands (Ky.), followed by a match Sept. 11 at 2 p.m., against No. 16 Grace (Ind.).

The men's contest featured an early goal for No. 14 Columbia, to put the team on top, 1-0, with just over four minutes played.  Missouri Valley held the better of possession over the next several minutes, and produced three corner kicks and three shots, but could not put an attempt on goal.  The Vikings continued to build up pressure, and created a chance just past the 24-minute mark, but the attempt from Sophomore Forward Leul Alfageme Nadela (Madrid, Spain) was saved.  Columbia was unable to build up possession and put another shot on goal through the rest of the half, while the Vikings could not cut into their deficit and the game went into halftime with a 1-0 score.

The second half featured chances for both teams through the opening minutes of play after the restart.  The first opportunity went to CC, but Sophomore Goalkeeper Vicente Benitez Delgado (Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain) made a save with less than four minutes gone in the half.  Almost three minutes later, Freshman Forward Kerim Akpinar (Bremen, Germany) had a close-range shot saved by the Cougar keeper.  Benitez Delgado was called on for another save with just over 10 minutes played, then followed with his third save of the half near the 61-minute mark.  Columbia tried to increase its advantage 10 minutes later, but Benitez Delgado came up with his final save of the half.  Junior Forward Sam Green (Bromley, England) followed with a chance close to goal, which was saved once again by the CC keeper.  Green had one more attempt in the final four minutes, which was saved, then had a shot go just wide of the left post.  Missouri Valley was unable to find the equalizer, and the game ended in a 1-0 defeat.

Benitez Delgado made four saves in goal.  Missouri Valley held a 15-9 advantage in shots and a 10-6 edge in corner kicks.  Missouri Valley drops to 0-1, while Columbia improves to 1-0.

Up next, the Viking men's soccer team will play two matches in Olathe, Kan., over the weekend.  The first will be Saturday at 2:30 p.m., against Mid-America Christian (Okla.).  The second will be Monday at 3 p.m., against Grace (Ind.).  The matches will be played at MidAmerica Nazarene (Kan.).

Men's Box Score-Click Here

Women's Box Score-Click Here 

About Missouri Valley College

Known for its dynamic, richly diverse, and friendly educational environment, Missouri Valley College offers many opportunities to grow in mind, body, and spirit. Grounded in the liberal arts, undergraduate studies empower students to master interdisciplinary skills needed to succeed in a knowledge-based global society. MVC offers over 30 academic programs, study abroad program, extracurricular activities, and a wide variety of sports. The most popular majors include education and business, criminal justice and exercise science. Above all, Valley is committed to student success. For more information, call (660) 831-4000 or visit www.moval.edu.