Beacons Play to Draw with Simpson

By Nick Askew, Assistant Athletic Director for Bushnell Communications

REDDING, Calif.  – The Bushnell women's soccer team hit the road on Friday for an NAIA west-coast battle at Simpson University and came home with a 1-1 draw.  
 
In a tight battle that saw multiple chances clang off the crossbar for both programs, Simpson (1-1-1) held a 19-17 advantage in shot attempts while the Beacons (1-1-1) had an 8-7 edge in shots-on-goal and a 6-4 advantage in corner kicks. Bushnell had no less than six open looks in the first half with Forwards coming out of the counterattack with one-on-one opportunities against the SU keeper.
 
Head Coach Halle Meadows said, "This was a hard fought battle against a team that has

competed well with schools in our conference. I am proud of the girls for being able to fight back and show resilience from an early deficit. It is encouraging, the chances we are creating in the final third, now we just need to finish the play."
 
The Redhawks struck first, scoring in the 25th minute as Chloe Tague launched a perfectly placed 25-yard strike up and over the leaping hand of Bushnell keeper Gabriella Montes for the 1-0 lead. Simpson took the lead into halftime.
 
Bushnell answered early in the second half when, just moments after a Simpson shot hit the crossbar, another effective counterattack went coast-to-coast with Jasmine Seago finding freshman Elidia Cervantes Carlos (pictured) on a breakaway. Cervantes Carlos went one-on-one with the keeper and beat her along the ground for the equalizer and her first collegiate goal.
 
"We had some people step up that aren't normally called on," said Meadows, "specifically Jasmine Seago, Charlotte Vandercar and Gabriella Montes all played very well today."
 
"I am really proud of how the team fought and gained the momentum of the game back in the second half," said Seago. "We had great build up play and created a lot of chances and opportunities. We are excited to build on our performance today as we head into conference play."
 
Vandercar added, "It was awesome to be a part of the teams determination and grit throughout all 90 minutes. I believe that we dominated the field in numerous aspects including great offensive opportunities and a solid back line. I can't wait to see what else this team is going to accomplish this season."
 
In her first collegiate start between the pipes, Montes finished with six saves.
 
UP NEXT: Bushnell returns home on Monday, September 8 to take on George Fox University at 4:00 pm.