STERLING, Kan. — Sterling lost to Central Christian (KS) 4-1 on Saturday. Central Christian (KS) scored three times in the first half before Sterling got on the board after halftime, and each team added one goal in the second half. Sterling finished with 10 shots, including seven in the second half and six on goal, while facing 21 shots and recording 10 saves plus three defensive saves.
Sterling spent much of the first half chasing an early deficit, as Central Christian (KS) scored at 5:39 and added goals at 31:59 and 38:14 to take a 3-0 lead into halftime. After the opening goal, Sterling pushed back with a Darragh Synnott shot saved at 9:23, a Jack Nickson corner kick at 9:52 and a Jose Pacheco attempt that hit the crossbar at 12:05. Nickson continued to supply set-piece chances, taking three more Sterling corners between 16:18 and 23:29. Sterling also got defensive stops from Cassidy Kelly, Esteban Ordoñez and Julio Blanco before Michael Kyalo put a shot wide right and Nickson took another corner in the final two minutes of the half.
Pacheco converted a penalty kick at 69:55 to get Sterling on the board and make it 3-1. Earlier, Sterling opened the half with pressure, as Pacheco headed a shot wide, Synnott forced two saves from Martin Restrepo, Blanco put another shot on goal and Nickson earned a corner by 55:32. Pacheco added another attempt high in the 67th minute before his penalty, and Kenden Grant later had a shot stopped by a defensive save from Moritz Bienmuller. Kelly made multiple saves after Sterling’s goal, while Nickson added a defensive save, but Central Christian (KS) scored through Braydon Frederick in the 82nd minute and Sterling finished the match with a 4-1 loss.
Pacheco scored on his penalty-kick attempt and finished with four shots. Kelly recorded 10 saves over 90 minutes in goal. Synnott put all three of his shots on goal. Blanco added a defensive save and put his lone shot on frame.
Sterling (1-4) will be back in action on Wednesday, Sept. 16 in Sterling, Kan. at 4 p.m. as they take on Bethany (KS).
Be sure to check for news and updates on Sterling Warrior Athletics on Facebook (/SCWarriors), Twitter (@SterlingCSports), and Instagram (sterlingcsports), as well as the hashtag #SwordsUp. Watch the Warriors’ live home events on the Sterling College Sports Network.
