FIVE-GOAL PERFORMANCE TRANSLATES TO A SENIOR DAY WIN FOR WOMEN’S SOCCER

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – In general, senior days for collegiate sports teams can be emotional and some teams come out of the gates flat after honoring their senior student-athletes.

That was not the case for Avila women's soccer on Saturday versus Bethany at The Z.

The Eagles made their presence known on the offensive end early and often in the match.

Even though it was a day to honor seniors, freshman Cali Lasater had one of the bigger games of her collegiate career.

In the 15^th minute, she had a breakaway opportunity. Barreling towards the net, the freshman juked the Bethany goalkeeper and powered the ball past her for sixth goal of the season.

90 seconds later, Lasater was looking for more. She played a beautiful cross to senior Mia Yerian, who scored, giving Avila a 2-0 lead just over 16 minutes into the game.

The offense kept coming for the Eagles and Yerian wasn't done.

The senior from Enid, Oklahoma wanted to spread the family wealth. This time, she took a great pass from Sami Lasater – Cali's twin sister – and found the back of the net for her second goal of the game and fourth of the season.

In the 28^th minute, sophomore Joselyn Clark attempted to get in on the action. Inside the Bethany box, the sophomore was taken down with a hard tackle and awarded a penalty kick.

Clark continued the Avila offensive onslaught, burying the PK in the top left corner of the net to give the Eagles a 4-0 lead, still with more than 17 minutes remaining in the half.

With under a minute remaining in the first frame, Avila's offense continued their unselfish play. Annika Holtorf dribbled between a few Swedes' defenders for a magnificent through ball to Nikkole Wood.

Wood made a move on the keeper, fell to her knees, recovered and found the back of the net for the fifth Avila goal in the opening 45.

The Eagles had 13 first-half shot attempts. Controlling possession for the majority of the game, Avila once again made their presence felt in the opening half of a KCAC match.

Avila let off the gas a bit in the second half, while still putting up nine shots with three corner kick opportunities.

Avila and goalkeeper Kenan Ebel nearly had their sixth shutout of the season were it not for a handball called on Avila in the box.

Bethany took advantage of their penalty kick opportunity and converted from the spot.

The Swedes' PK was their only shot attempt of the afternoon as Avila's defense matched the offense with the dominating win.

Avila (9-3-3, 6-2-2 KCAC) have a week off before they travel to Tabor for a 1:00 kickoff on Oct. 26. The Eagles have two more regular season home matches at The Z (Oct. 30 and Nov. 2).