HILLSBORO, Kan. (TaborBluejays.com) – Following last weekend’s 1-1 draw with Ottawa University, the Bluejays prepared for their mid-week conference matchup with Bethel College. The Threshers entered the contest with an overall record of 4-6-2 and a conference record of 2-4-1, while the Bluejays entered with an overall record of 3-5-4 and a conference record of 2-3-2. Tabor sought to achieve another victory against the Threshers, having shut out Bethel entirely in the previous two years.
Bethel began the match in control on offense, taking the first shot five minutes in and giving Neve Mulrooney an early save on the day. April Ochoa retaliated on the other end of the pitch, unable to find the back of the net. From then on, Tabor maintained in control for a while, with a handful of Bluejays looking to get the team on the board. Haven Deckinger, Alia Hirschi, and Faith Hazzard all took attempts but were unable to convert for the Bluejays.
About halfway through the first half, Bethel reclaimed control and took three more shots at the goal, all saved by Mulrooney. It wasn’t until the 29-minute mark that Bethel scored their first goal, leading 1-nil. Josie Simpson, Taylor Nye, and Reagan King attempted to reciprocate at the other end of the turf, but still were unable to capitalize on their opportunities. With just over a minute remaining on the clock, Simpson delivered a corner kick with remarkable spin, scoring the Bluejays’ first goal untouched and sending them into halftime tied at 1-1.
In the second half, Ochoa would continue her offensive attack, with two more shots just narrowly missing the target. Seven minutes in, Ochoa pulled the trigger and put Tabor ahead 2-1 with plenty of time still left to go. The Bluejays stayed in control for a majority of the time remaining, forcing Bethel to maintain their defensive efforts. Despite a few more shot attempts on each end, neither team was able to widen the margin, and the match ended with a 2-1 Bluejay victory over Bethel.
Due to the Bluejays’ offensive dominance, Tabor attempted 19 total shots throughout the evening, while Bethel managed only eight. Mulrooney recorded five total saves, extending her impressive season total to 62 as a freshman. This weekend, Tabor will be on the road to face the University of Saint Mary at 1 p.m. The Spires head into the day with a 4-4 conference record, while the Bluejays’ victory over Bethel secured them a 3-3-2 record 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).
