HILLSBORO, Kan. (TaborBluejays.com) – Following a challenging mid-week defeat against McPherson, the Bluejays were determined to close out the week on a high note as they geared up to face the Falcons of Friends University on Saturday. However, the weather intervened, prompting Tabor to reschedule the match for Sunday afternoon. The Bluejays entered with an overall record of 0-3-2 and a conference record of 0-1, while Friends came in with the same overall record but had yet to play a conference match.
It was a slow beginning to the cold and rainy match, with neither side creating many opportunities to put themselves ahead. Friends remained in possession for a majority of the first 20 minutes of the half, with three Falcons taking shots but none finding the back of the net. Andre Trigo retaliated with an attempt but sent it just wide, and it wasn’t until about 20 minutes later that any more action occurred. Ignacio Fabeiro recorded his second save of the half, still leaving both teams scoreless. Molelwa Abendelwa took his chance at scoring but deflected it off the post. With 2:20 remaining in the first half, Charlie Stammers delivered a corner kick that Cooper Taylor converted into a header for a much-needed Bluejay goal.
The Falcons aimed to equalize the score coming into the second half, taking three more shots on goal, all of which were saved by Fabeiro. He would go on to record a total of eight saves on the evening, ensuring that Friends remained scoreless. Meanwhile, Tabor attempted to extend their lead with three Bluejays taking shots, but none were successful. Friends gained possession of the ball for the remaining 12 minutes of the match, launching eight additional shots in a bid to find the net and level the score. As the clock expired, the Bluejays secured their first win of the season and put themselves at 1-1 in conference play. This marked Tabor’s first victory over Friends since 2021.
Taylor’s crucial goal and Fabeiro’s outstanding defensive performance demonstrated the determination that the Bluejays showcased on the field on Sunday. As the Bluejays prepare to host Southwestern College this Saturday at 8 p.m., they will look to build on this momentum and continue their pursuit of success in conference play.
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Tabor College is a Christ-centered institution located in Hillsboro, Kansas. The Bluejays are members of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and compete in the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC).
