AVILA WINS KCAC HOME OPENER VS. SAINT MARY

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Another great performance from the Avila women's soccer team accompanied a 3-1 victory over Saint Mary in the Eagles KCAC home opener on Wednesday at The Z.

"This game always dictates whether or not our conference season is an enjoyable one or if it will be a little bit more challenging," said Avila head coach Katie LaForge. "Saint Mary is always very solid and they finish really well in the conference. It's always a good first test for us."

Avila got on the board early when senior Addison Yinger was taken down inside the box, giving her a penalty shot six-and-a-half minutes into the game.

Yinger buried the ball in the back of the net for her team-leading fifth goal of the season. Avila had an early 1-0 lead.

The remainder of the first half would be scoreless as the Eagles took their one-goal lead into halftime.

Saint Mary returned the favor eight minutes into the second half with a penalty-kick goal of their own to level the score at one.

Avila losing the shutout was motivation for the Eagles offense. Following a Spires foul, Yinger lined up 40 yards from the goal for a free kick; her kick sailed towards the goal and found Leah Reichert's head who knocked the ball over Saint Mary's goalkeeper's outstretched hands for her second goal in the last three games.

Late in the second half – from the ground with bodies all around – Nikkole Wood found Mackenzie Baxley for the sophomore's first goal of the season and the final goal of the Eagles 3-1 victory.

In the women's soccer season preview, LaForge noted that the team would rely on numerous offensive weapons this season. Today, the Eagles saw three different players find the back of the net and two of the three goals were assisted.

"Still great to see that not all the scoring is coming from one place," LaForge said. "That's the nice part – it relieves the stress and makes people play freer. It's been really nice to see and I'm sure it's comforting for the girls as well."

Goalkeeper Kenan Ebel and the entire Avila defense put up another great performance. Today was the sixth-straight game in which Avila allowed one goal or fewer in the contest, something that LaForge believes helps the entire squad:

"Our defense has been the most comforting thing for our offense – they know that the defense has their backs. We have five or so players who rotate around that, which is nice to have. Overall, they're just so solid and calm and they like to destroy things."

Avila (5-1-2) extended its unbeaten streak to seven with the win and will travel to Sterling on Friday night.