WICHITA, Kan. – Sora Shibata scored what proved to be the decisive goal late in the second half to give the Friends University Falcons a dramatic 2-1 victory over the University of Saint Mary Spires in KCAC action tonight (Sept. 27) at Adair-Austin Stadium.
With the score knotted at 1-1, Shibata blasted in a free kick at the 79:32 mark to give the Falcons a lead they wouldn't relinquish.
The Falcons wasted no time in jumping on top early, with Caique Pereira scoring off an assist from Alvaro Quezada following a turnover in the box less than six minutes into the match.
Abdul Omar later scored for Saint Mary on a feed from Anthony Rangel to square the match at the 29:46 mark.
Friends was able to come out on top despite being outshot 11-8 overall and 7-6 on-goal. Pereira led the Falcons with four shot attempts and three shots-on-goal, with Rangel registering three shots and also recording three shots-on-goal for the Spires.
Felipe Garcia made five saves for the Falcons (3-3-3, 2-0-2 KCAC), including two critical stops in a frantic nine-second span late in the first half to keep the match even at 1-1. Alec Scharff recorded four saves for Saint Mary (3-5-2, 2-3 KCAC).
The Falcons will next play at McPherson College Saturday afternoon (Sept. 30) starting at 2:30 pm in McPherson, Kan.
