ORIGINALLY WRITTEN TOM STOPPEL
The Tabor College women’s soccer team traveled to Fulton, Mo., over the weekend to battle William Woods University and Central Methodist University.
On Friday, William Woods defeated the Jays, 7-0.
Although goalkeeper Kari Shorb allowed seven goals, she stopped an additional 19 shots.
“This is probably the best team we will face all year,” coach B.J. Livingston said.
“They were much quicker and better organized than we were this particular game.”
Tabor trailed 1-0 with under 10 minutes left in the half, but gave up consecutive goals by halftime and three more to begin the second stanza.
“If we didn’t have the 20-minute spell of bad play, we could have had a chance to get close and maybe grab a win,” Livingston said. “What was encouraging to me was that the women hustled and continued to work even when the game was out of reach.
“That was a real testament to these players.”
On Saturday, Tabor came back to defeat Central Methodist, 3-0.
Shorb recorded the shutout, playing all 90 minutes and making six saves.
Tabor’s Kandi Holland scored two goals and Michelle Rink one. Rink also added two assists.
“Central Methodist was a quality team that we played really well against,” Livingston said. “From the start, we came out ready to play and scored a goal in the first 40 seconds.
“This built a lot of momentum for us the rest of the game,” he added. “Our defense had anther good game and held CMU to only six shots.”
Livingston said Stephanie Stuber and Sarah Lopez had great games in the middle and helped control the tempo and pace of the game.
“Of course, we wanted to come home with two victories, but to split games this weekend says a lot about our team,” Livingston said. “We worked hard and picked up a good win.”
Bethel-Tabor proved it’s a force to be reckoned with in the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference by pummeling the Bethel Threshers Wednesday afternoon at Wiebe Field, 9-0.
Tabor led the non-conference contest 5-0 at halftime and was never threatened in the second stanza.
Leading the offense was Michelle Rink, who blitzed the Thresher defense for four goals.
Kandi Holland added three goals while Sarah Lopez and Stephanie Stuber both added a single goal.
“Michelle and Kandi continue to be offensive threats and work very well together,” coach B.J. Livingston said. “Porsche Davis and Stephanie did a great job of controlling the midfield and distributing the ball.”
Davis was credited with two assists in the game while Stuber and Rink added an assist each.
Kari Shorb was credited with her second shutout in as many contests, but defended just one shot the entire game.
“Our defense played extremely well,” Livingston said. “With three new players on defense this year, it was a part of our game that I was a bit worried about but it’s been excellent thus far.”
Adding depth for the Bluejays has been Tiphani Mills.
“Tiphani has provided some quality minutes off the bench in both of our games this year,” Livingston said. “She’s been a much needed surprise.”
With the victory, Tabor improved to 2-0 overall.
Coming-Tabor (3-1) travels to Salina today (Wednesday) to battle Kansas Wesleyan in its opening KCAC match. Game time is 5 p.m.
On Saturday, the Bluejays will travel to Central Christian College of McPherson for a 1 p.m. start.
Tabor soccer women improve season record to 3-1
