October 28, 2026 - Emporia State soccer rallied from a 1-0 halftime deficit to defeat Rogers State 3-2 at the ESU Pitch on Wednesday afternoon.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Perhaps the most pivotal factor on Wednesday afternoon at the ESU Pitch was the southern breeze and in the first half, Rogers State had the wind at their back. However, despite the advantage, Emporia State tallied three shots to just two for Rogers State in the first 20 minutes but the score remained 0-0.
The deadlock would be broken in the 23rd minute, as the visitors went in front 1-0. Rogers State used a quick counter attack down the right side and Bella Holland capped it off with the gaol.
At the end of the first 45 minutes, both sides tallied seven shots, with Emporia State even placing five on target but the Hornets continued to trail into the intermission.
Following the break, Emporia State wasted little time using the wind at their back to find the equalizer. In the 51st minute, the ball was played wide left of the Hillcat 18-yard box before eventually being controlled by Sammy Quiroz. Quiroz then floated a cross into the danger zone that found the head of Megan Kephart who converted the chance to level the score at 1-1.
The Hornets would move in front for the first time on the afternoon just six minutes later, as Kephart scored her second of the match. Avery Zimmerman played a through ball down the center of the Hillcat defense to Kephart and the forward slid past the RSU goalkeeper to make the score 2-1.
Despite now trailing in the match and the wind in their face, Rogers State would pull back level in the 65th minute, with Holland scoring her second of the match. The tie would be short-lived however, as Emporia State would go back in front in the 71st minute.
Rylie Washington held possession near the Hornet bench before playing a cross into the box that found Hailey Gancarz who slotted the ball home to pull Emporia State in front and eventually secure the 3-2 win.
A LOOK AT THE STATS
Emporia State tallied 20 shots in the match with 13 attempts on target compared to 14 shots and seven on target for the Hillcats. Megan Kephart's two goals pushes her career-high scoring tally this season to nine. Hailey Gancarz scored her first of the season and sixth in her Hornet career.
UP NEXT
The Hornets will play in the MIAA Quarterfinals on Sunday, November 1. Emporia State's opponent will be announced later this evening after the final regular season matches wrap up around the association.
