September 13, 2024 – Emporia State soccer rallied from an early deficit to secure a 3-1 win over Northern State on Friday afternoon in Bismarck, ND.
The match between the Hornets and Wolves got off to a slow start, as neither team recorded a shot through the first ten minutes. In the 11th minute, Northern State earned the first corner kick of the match and were able to convert the opportunity into a goal, as the Hornets fell behind 1-0. Northern State recorded three more shots over the next ten minutes, forcing three saves from
Mackenzi Goen in goal, before
Abby Bachman registered the first Emporia State shot of the match in the 24th minute.
Shortly after the first opportunity, the Hornets found their second in the 27th minute. Emporia State won possession in the midfield and after receiving a pass,
Ella Ruliffson found
Sade Lee with a long ball down the right wing. Lee's initial cross was blocked by the Wolves, but after regaining possession and whipping in another pass into the box,
Megan Jeremias broke in front of the Northern State center back and knocked a right-footed shot past the keeper to tie the score at 1-1.
Both teams recorded just one more shot in the first half, but the Hornets and Wolves entered the halftime break with the score still tied.
Early in the second half, Northern State earned a pair of free kicks, with the second coming in the 49th minute, which forced a save from
Mackenzi Goen. A long punt from Goen eventually came to the feet of
Abby Bachman on the left side who pushed towards goal before laying the ball off to
Megyn Mahloch near the edge of the box. Mahloch was able to cut towards the middle and take a right-footed shot at the corner of the box that beat the Northern State goalkeeper at the back post to give the Hornets a 2-1 advantage.
For the remainder of the half, shots stayed even with Emporia State holding onto their 2-1 lead. In the final minutes, the Hornets broke through with their goal to seal the game.
Madeline Bracy won possession in midfield before playing the ball forward to
Megan Kephart. Kephart drew two defenders before noticing Bachman breaking down the left side. Bachman received the pass and after one touch, ripped a shot beyond the goalkeeper to the far post for the Hornets' third goal of the match in the 88th minute to clinch the 3-1 win for Emporia State over Northern State on Friday.
Megan Jeremias and
Abby Bachman each scored their second goal of the season while
Megyn Mahloch scored her first career goal which also proved the be the game-winning goal.
Sade Lee,
Megan Kephart each recorded their first career assist while Bachman her first of the season after four in 2023. In goal,
Mackenzi Goen recorded six saves.
Emporia State will return to action on Sunday, September 15 as they take on UMary. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.
