FRESHMAN STEALS THE SHOW FOR WOMEN’S SOCCER ON SENIOR DAY

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – On a rainy afternoon where Avila women's soccer honored its four seniors, it was a freshman who played the hero to help the Eagles record their first win in just over a month, beating McPherson, 1-0.

A slow-paced game saw just eight combined shots in the first half as neither program was able to get much going offensively.

The Eagles were kept in the game by goalkeeper Jocelyn Zettergren, who was back on the pitch for the first time in almost two months as she stopped all six shots she faced and help the Eagles keep the Bulldogs off the scoreboard.

Avila put up a bit more of an offensive showing in the second half, putting together seven shots in the second 45.  

The turning point in the game came with 100 seconds remaining in the contest.

Lydia Mannino was fouled as she was running down the far sideline looking to cross it in to the box.

Senior Annika Holtorf stepped up to take the free kick. Playing in one of her final games in an Avila uniform, Holtorf crossed the ball into the box, finding Hope Hines, who pushed the ball to freshman Lauren Shrout who turned and fired the ball past the Bulldog keeper to score the lone goal of the contest.

The goal was Shrout's third of the season – good for the third-highest total on the team – while Holtorf and Clark combined for the assist, their third and fourth, respectively, of the season.

Still in the postseason hunt in the KCAC, Avila has two games remaining in the regular season, starting with hosting Oklahoma Wesleyan on Wednesday at 12 PM at The Z.