A Historic Season: McMurry Women’s Soccer

McMurry’s women’s soccer team made history this season with an incredible twelve win season, a record for the program. Such wins carried the team into the American Southwest Conference’s (ASC) quarterfinals round, where the War Hawks suffered a devastating loss at the hands of the Hardin Simmons Cowboys. This is the War Hawks third year under head Coach Charles Nobles. The War Hawks also hosted the first ever ASC championship quarterfinal round at Wilford Moore Stadium, as well as, advancing to the first ever semifinal game in school history.

For the quarterfinal, the War Hawks faced LeTourneau University. A back and forth dominated the game for the first 25 minutes of game play, until the 26^th minute when junior Sky Reynolds found the back of the net, shooting over the keepers head to the back right corner. Moments later, the War Hawks brought the ball back to the offensive side. A series of passes allowed sophomore Brianna Caudle to score McMurry’s second goal of the game. The War Hawks defense held LeTourneau through the first half, keeping the Yellow Jackets off the board. In the final minutes of the game, LeTourneau drew a penalty kick and landed their only goal of the game. With a triumphant victory over the LeTourneau Yellow Jackets, the McMurry War Hawks moved onto the semifinals against the number one ranked Hardin Simmons University Cowboys.

The War Hawks played on the Cowboys’ home turf. McMurry pulled an early lead in the first half, an assist from junior Calista Flores from the right side met Sky Reynolds, who knocked the ball in through the center. Hardin Simmons tied the game up near the end of the game and it looked as if the game was going into overtime. With ten seconds left, however, McMurry was called on a foul, setting up the game winning penalty kick for the Lady Cowboys, shattering the hopes of the McMurry War Hawks and ending the legendary season.

Although the War Hawks suffered a heartbreaking loss, the season did not end without the ASC recognizing several members of the team for their excellence this season. Freshman forward, Alyssa Daily, was named the ASC’s Women’s Soccer Offensive Freshman of the Year, as well as, being named to the All-ASC first team. Along with Daily, Senior Karleigh Alsip was also named to the ASC first team. Junior Sky Reynolds, sophomores Kate Holland, and Meriah Sikora were all named to the All- ASC second team. Sophomore Ashland Hansen earned honorable mention honors. Additionally, Sky Reynolds and Brianna Caudle were named to the ASC All-Tournament team. Coach Charles Nobles was named as the ASC Coach of the Year, for his role in leading the War Hawks through this historic season.