Friends Athletics
Levi Convirs, Sports Information Director
LEAVENWORTH – For the first time since the 2004 season, the Friends University Falcons have opened conference play with seven straight victories after blanking the University of Saint Mary Spires 2-0 on Wednesday night in Leavenworth, Kan.
“I thought we played great tonight,” Friends head coach Brent Hobson said. “We dominated possession and moved the ball really well. Madalyn (Liebst) was fantastic in the midfield.”
After the match was scoreless through the first 40 minutes, the Falcons struck twice in a seven minute span that bridged the latter stages of the opening half into the early part of the second half.
It was the combination of Jazelle Gonzalez and Cassidy Darrah that supplied the offensive punch for the Falcons, with Gonzalez scoring her team-high seventh goal of the season off an assist from Darrah at the 40:40 mark to put Friends on the board.
Then just over two minutes into the second half, Gonzalez assisted on Darrah’s goal for the Falcons’ second score.
“What a header by Jazelle to get us on the board in the first half,” Hobson said. “Jazelle and Cassidy are both dangerous players for us so it was great to see them both get a goal and an assist tonight.”
Lauren Ferguson made all four of her saves in the second half to seal the Falcons’ victory. The shutout is Ferguson’s sixth this year and 21st of her career.
The Falcons (10-2, 7-0 KCAC) dominated possession, out-shooting the Spires 24-4 overall and 10-4 on-goal. Gonzalez and Darrah each had a match-high five shot attempts, with Emma Girtz recording four shots for Friends.
Lauryn Airy made seven saves for the Spires (4-5-2, 2-3-2 KCAC).
The Falcons will next host Sterling College Saturday evening (Oct. 19) beginning at 6 pm at Adair-Austin Stadium.