Salina, Kan. – In a battle between two of the top three teams in the KCAC, it was the Friends University Falcons standing tall with a 2-0 victory at the Kansas Wesleyan University Coyotes today (Oct. 26) in Salina, Kan.
The win moves the Falcons to within a half game of KWU for second place in the KCAC. Friends is now 8-2-1 in the conference, just behind the Coyotes' 9-2 league record.
The Falcons were propelled in this one by Kieley Aranda, who put in both goals in the win.
Aranda's first score came in the 33rd minute off an assist from Anahi Ibarra-Arevalo, who has dished out a team-leading six assists on the season for the Falcons.
Then in the second half, Aranda completed her two-goal effort at the 74:00 mark.
That proved to be more than enough for a stout Falcon defensive unit that has now posted shutouts in three consecutive matches.
The Falcons were outshot 13-11 overall but held an 8-3 edge in shots-on-goal.
Nia Baker made three saves for Friends, while Isabella Galvan made four saves in the first half before giving way to Bailey Mann in the second half. Mann then stopped a pair of shots for the Coyotes.
Another critical conference showdown awaits the Falcons at Avila University Wednesday afternoon (Oct. 30) at noon in Kansas City, Mo. Avila is right behind the Falcons at 7-2-2 in the league.
