WICHITA, Kan. – The Friends University Falcons scored five unanswered goals, including four in the second half to take down the Bethel College Threshers 5-1 on Homecoming Saturday (Sept. 20) at Adair-Austin Stadium.
The win moves the Falcons to a perfect 3-0 in the KCAC, with a 4-3-1 overall record.
After Ashley SaJous temporarily put Bethel in front with a goal in the 28th minute, Hanon Nakagami began to assert herself with a feed to Keily Larosee, who blasted in the Falcons' first goal at the 33:01 mark to tie the score.
That began a tsunami of Falcon offense, with Nakagami taking things over with two goals just 33 second apart to suddenly put Friends on top 3-1 at the 48:38 mark.
"I thought we scored some great goals today," said Friends women's soccer head coach Brent Hobson. "Keily started us with a great goal from outside the box. Hanon has been playing really well, her and Keily up top has been quite the duo."
It was then a couple of firsts for the Falcons to put the finishing touches on the win, with Gianna Honda and Haliee Wisdom each scoring their first collegiate goals for the Falcons in the 74th and 88th minutes, respectively.
"That was Gianna's first collegiate goal, what a strike from distance," said Hobson. "And what a moment for Haliee, her first career goal as well. She earned it though, she's a competitive kid that plays tough any time she's on the field."
Honda's goal was a laser from 30 yards out and was assisted by Kieley Aranda, with Wisdom's goal being unassisted.
The Falcons outshot the Threshers 21-10 overall and 12-6 on-goal, led by six shots from Nakagami and four shots each from Larosee and Honda.
Morgan Wilkinson was solid in the net for Friends, stopping five of the six shots she faced. Mariah Vallejo made seven saves with five goals allowed for Bethel (5-3, 1-2 KCAC).
The Falcons will remain at home and host the University of Saint Mary Wednesday night (Sept. 27) at 8:30 pm at Adair-Austin Stadium.
Catch the surging Women's Soccer Falcons this Wednesday night, purchase tickets now!
