The UMKC women’s soccer team took a 1-0 lead just 34 seconds into Sunday’s match against the Aggies of New Mexico State, and never looked back as they went on to win 4-0 on Senior Day at Durwood Stadium.
From the opening kickoff the ‘Roos controlled the match thanks to a goal in the first minute off the foot of freshman Reighan Childers. From just beyond the 18, Childers sent a shot into the upper-90 of the far post, past the Aggies goalkeeper for her eighth goal of the season. Sophomore Nikki Lynch and freshman Lexie Howard assisted on the goal.
Getting the start on senior day, Taylor Andrzejewski made the most of it, scoring the second goal of the match for UMKC, and her second goal of the year. Howard tapped a loose ball with her head towards the senior, who finished the play booting it over the keeper from five yards out.
The Aggies went into halftime with a two-goal deficit, and came out looking to get back into the match, but freshman goalkeeper Anna Lillig was having none of it, recording big save after big save. In all, the freshman recorded seven saves, including five in the second period to earn her third shutout of the season.
Having already assisted on both goals in the match, Howard decided it was her turn to get in on the scoring. After sophomore Kara Priest had a ball tapped away by a defender in the box, Howard settled the ball and had the poise to finish the play to add to the lead in the 80th minute.
To add to an already impressive day, Howard added an insurance goal in the 88th minute. After Reighan Childers sent a corner into the box that was shot and saved multiple times, Priest wrangled the loose ball and found Howard near the goal to put it away and finish the job.
Head coach Chris Cissell used the early lead to rotate players in, like he has been doing recently, to keep legs fresh and be ready for the conference tournament at the end of the season. Seventeen players saw 15-plus minutes of action, and 20 total players contributed to the 4-0 victory.
The ‘Roos conclude the regular season with a trip to Chicago, Illinois on October 31 to face the Cougars of Chicago State. The match is scheduled to kick off at 1 p.m. CT.