Bearcats lose home match to Graceland

Coming off an uplifting double overtime win over Missouri Western, the Northwest Missouri State soccer team had its momentum sucked away with a 3-1 loss to NAIA opponent Graceland in the non-conference finale Tuesday at Bearcat Pitch.

Graceland scored all three goals during a 26-minute span in the second half to build an insurmountable 3-0 lead before Northwest avoided the shutout with a goal from Kiersten Mottl with under two minutes left.

The Bearcats dropped to 4-3-1 overall. Graceland, the No. 18-ranked team in NAIA, improved to 9-2.

Nolan Sydney scored the match's first goal in the 54th minute unassisted to give Graceland a 1-0 lead. The Jackets went 2-0 less than two minutes later on the first of two goals by Arrieta Gisela. She was assisted by Courtney Codilla.

Gisela converted a penalty kick in the 80th minute to bring the score to 3-0.

Mottl's goal came in the 88th minute and was assisted by Elizabeth Walde.

Northwest finished with a 24-15 edge in shot attempts and 5-1 in corners, but was held under two goals for the third consecutive match.

Graceland keeper Stefany Castano nearly earned the shutout by making 16 saves. Northwest keeper Kelsey Adams finished with eight saves.

The first half saw a combined 18 shots attempted, but none resulted in goals.

The Bearcats continue a three-game homestand Friday against Northeastern State at 4 p.m.