Lady Indian soccer falls to Buffaloes
by THAYNE GRIFFIN
After falling at Garden City April 14, the Lady Indian soccer team looked to avenge their previous loss at home April 24 in a game to help decide the Western Athletic Conference race.
Garden City, however, clinched the WAC for the third straight year with a 3-1 win over the Indians (8-3 overall, 5-2 WAC).
Hays struck early against the visiting Buffaloes, with senior Betsy Dreiling scoring off of a cross from the left by junior Kelsey Hedlund in the ninth minute.
However, the Indians’ lead would not hold as the Buffaloes tied the match midway through the first half, leaving the teams knotted up at 1-1 heading into the half.
Throughout the second half, the Buffaloes pushed the issue looking for the game-winning goal, which would come early in the half off of a near post goal from the right, just past the fingertips of senior goalkeeper Lindsey Dinkel.
Later in the half, Garden City scored off of a 25-yard shot off of Dinkel’s hands and into the goal.
“I thought the pressure they put on us defensively was a key factor,” head coach Chris Michaelis said. “We’re disappointed in the outcome of the game, but we saw a lot of good things happen that the coaching staff was pleased with.”
Junior defender Jennifer David held Garden City standout junior forward Cindy Benitez scoreless the whole match, a rarity for Benitez, who already has over 100 career goals at Garden City.
Hays returns to action with the Wichita North Cup the week of April 29 until May 3.
“We need to work on our one-on-one skills, and how quick we make decisions,” Michaelis said.