Avila Falls to Friends in Stryker

WICHITA, Kan. – Avila women's soccer headed west to Wichita for its second-to-last game of the 2023 regular season, where the Eagles (5-11-1, 5-6-1 KCAC) were defeated by Friends (10-3-4, 9-0-3 KCAC) by a final count of 3-0 on Wednesday afternoon.

The game was originally supposed to be played outside later on Wednesday night, but due to severe rain across the state Wednesday the teams were able to move the game indoors to nearby Stryker Sports Complex and kick off earlier in the afternoon.

The loss does not knock the Eagles out of contention for next week's KCAC Tournament, but the defeat, coupled with last week's loss to Tabor, sets up a crucial contest this Saturday in the regular season finale against Bethel. That won't literally be a must-win game for the Eagles, who could still make the postseason with a loss, but the stakes will be clear: if the Eagles defeat the Threshers Saturday, they will be in the postseason field regardless of any other results.

The Falcons are one of the better teams in the KCAC this season and lived up to that billing Wednesday, but it took some time for them to finally pull away. Even absent many of its regular starters, Avila remained right in the mix throughout the opening 45 minutes, thanks in large part to three critical first-half saves from Olivia Seston, and kept the pesky Falcons scoreless headed into halftime.

The home team finally found its breakthrough in the second half. Top goal scorer Keily Larosee broke the deadlock in the 63^rd minute, and then doubled that lead three minutes later from the penalty spot. Hanon Nakagami added some insurance with a great goal in the final five minutes, and Avila had no response. Five different Eagles were able to get shots on goal against reigning NAIA Player of the Week Nia Baker, and Friends walked away with a 3-0 win to improve its playoff positioning. Seston finished with eight saves for Avila.

The Eagles will now conclude the 2023 regular season this Saturday evening in North Newton, Kansas against Bethel. The Eagle women will kick off the doubleheader at 5 PM with the men to follow at 7:30; as always, you can watch all the action on the KCAC Network.