First-year forward McKenna Lehman’s first collegiate goal was the only score for the St. Thomas women’s soccer team Friday, as the Tommies tied Missouri-Kansas City 1-1 at South Field.
The Tommies (3-2-3, 0-0-1 Summit) played the Roos (1-6-3, 0-0-1 Summit) hard in their conference opener. Neither team scored until the second half.
“I thought we dominated most of the second half,” coach Shiela McGill said. “We had some players that stepped up and played really big today.”
Cool temperatures and rain subdued much of the first-half action, with the Tommies picking up the pace and pressure in the back third of the half.
“It was making us take an extra touch, which slowed us down a bit,” McGill said.
The Tommies fired off three shots and two corner kicks within the last 15 minutes of the first half.
“We had really great, high pressure at the end of the first half,” McGill said. “So, we went with that lineup for the second half to start it out.”
Lehman scored in the 59th minute on a goal that went through Kansas City junior goaltender Mackenzie Caldwell’s legs. Sophomore midfielder Mariah Nguyen gave Lehman the assist.
“All of a sudden, they were under a little bit more duress on their backline,” McGill said. “That helped us create.”
Kansas City sophomore Madison Page evened the score in the 80th minute, capitalizing on the Roos’ ninth corner kick of the match. St. Thomas allowed a season-high nine corner kicks.
“Anytime you give up nine corner kicks, you’re going to put yourself under some undue pressure,” McGill said. “That’s something we will continue to try and get better at.”
The Tommies managed two shots and two corner kicks in the last 10 minutes but could not pull ahead.
“This was a loss last year; this year, we get a point,” McGill said. “As frustrated as we are, we’re still moving in the right direction.”
The Tommies will play Oral Roberts at noon on Sunday at South Field.
Sam Larson can be reached at lars4378@stthomas.edu.