McPHERSON, Kan. (macbulldogs.com) — After being held scoreless in the opening half, the McPherson College Bulldogs exploded with a barrage of goals to secure a 7-1 season-opening win over the Central Christian College Tigers in McPherson, Kan. The seven goals were the most in a single game since Oct. 28, 2009.
“It’s always nice to start the season with a win,” head coach Mark Olson said. “We did not start the game playing the way we wanted, but it certainly turned it around in the second half as we calmed ourselves.”
Caitlin Buendia notched the first goal of the season less than a minute into the second half, sparking a burst of three goals by the Bulldogs in under five minutes. Olivia Rodriguez joined the party 68 seconds later to give the Bulldogs the lead for good, then Lizette Loera pushed the lead to 3-1.
Then, after five scoreless minutes, Buendia and Rodriguez scored another pair of back-to-back goals three minutes apart to blow the game wide open.
Maritza Gonzalez extended the Bulldogs’ lead to 6-1 in the 67th minute, then Allyson Harrison put the icing on the cake with her first career goal.
“Our freshman class did very well as the game progressed and the nerves calmed,” Olson said. “Our returners responded very well after halftime and played closer to their abilities.”
The Bulldogs outshot the Central Christian 34-7 with a 17-4 advantage on goal. Rodriguez paced the Bulldogs with six shots, four on-goal. Andrea Salas had five shots, while Buendia put four shots on target.
“This was by far not our best but does show some potential. It was fun to get the win.”
The Bulldogs conceded the first goal when Avery Lemons scored on a breakaway in the 16th minute.
McPherson returns to the pitch Wednesday (Aug. 23) as they travel to take on Doane in Crete, Neb. Kickoff is tentatively scheduled for 11:00 a.m.
