September 23, 2018- Emporia State Soccer defeated Fort Hays State 3-2 at the ESU Pitch on Sunday. With the win, the Hornets have broken the record for the best start in Emporia State women's soccer history.
The Hornets opened the game as the aggressor early taking their first shot before the one minute mark. The Hornets would go on to out-shoot the Tigers 21-5 in the match with four corner kicks to the Tigers two.
After a near goal by Shelby Keyes in the 13th minute which would turn to a yellow card for running into the keeper, the Hornets fought to take the lead in the 32nd minute. Daniela Cardona sent a shot from 30 yards out on the right side into the far corner of the net for her first goal of the season to give the Hornets a 1-0 lead. The Hornets would hold onto the lead into half.
In the second half, the Tigers came out firing early and tied the match at 1-1 when Vianei Sanchez sent a header in on a corner kick from Jordan Thompson early in the 47th minute. Just 37 seconds later, the Tigers took the lead when Nikita Woods send a touch shot from about eight yards out from a lead by Shayla Podlena later in the 47th minute.
Maria Walden received another yellow card for the Hornets in the 53rd minute of the match before the Hornets were able to tie the match. Tanna Benefiel sent a header shot into the back of the net from a free kick from Ashlyn Lakin in the 63rd minute to tie the match at 2-2 with her second goal of the season. Rachel Marshall scored what would become the game winning goal in the 75th minute of the match when she sent a header to the back of the net on a pass from Ashlyn Lakin to give the Hornets a 3-2 lead.
The Hornets were led by Daniela Cardona, Tanna Benefiel and Rachel Marshall with one goal each. Ashlyn Lakin had two assists for the Hornets. Jillian Patton played all 90 minutes in goal for the Hornets with two saves.
The Hornets will be back in action on Friday, September 28th as they take on Missouri Western in St. Joseph, Mo.
