By OkayGoal 
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. In a matchup between two unbeatens, the Methodist women’s soccer team suffered its first loss of the season on Saturday, falling to the Tornados of Brevard College who prevailed by a score of 2–1. Though the Monarchs had tied the game in the final minutes before halftime, the Tornados punched in a go–ahead goal with under 10 minutes to play, keeping their perfect record alive.
JUST THE FACTS
Final score: Brevard def. Methodist, 2-1
Records: Methodist 2-1-6 (1-1-1 USA South), Brevard 9-0-0 (4-0-0 USA South)
Location: Duggins Soccer Stadium; Fayetteville, North Carolina
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Chasing a seamless pass by Brevard’s Kiara Porcelli, Mikayla Zvekan slipped through the back line of the Methodist defense and collected the ball at the top of the penalty arc. After an initial touch, she used her left foot to direct the ball towards the bottom right corner of the frame, executing a shot that got by Methodist’s Carolina Simpkins for a score in just the fifth minute of play.
- Methodist matched with a goal of its own in the 42nd minute. Following a throw-in by the Tornados, Camaryn Piper and Rory Patchett each headed the ball toward Methodist’s offensive zone. After crossing midfield, Ally Quiroz played a pass ahead of Haley Cousins, who used her left foot to strike the ball from the top of the box. The ball glided across the grass and past the oncoming Brevard goalkeeper.
- The Monarchs controlled the ball more in the second half, putting together a strong offensive effort on several possessions. Methodist outshot Brevard six to two across the first 35 minutes of the second half, but the Tornados would ultimately be the ones to break the stalemate. Just as in the first half, Zvekan used her speed to blow past the Methodist defense, taking a shot from about 10 yards away from the goal. Simpkins stayed in the goal area this time but was unable to get to the ball as it rolled from left to right and into the back right corner of the net.
NUMBERS
- The Monarchs managed just two shots in the first half but took six in the second half. Conversely, Brevard fired seven shots in the first period but was held to just three in the second.
- The goal by Cousins is the first goal of her collegiate career. She’s now one of just three Monarchs to record both a goal and an assist at any point this season.
UP NEXT
Methodist travels to Southern Virginia on Saturday, Oct. 11 for a 1 p.m. match.