OTTAWA —The previously 2-5-1 Lady Threshers took down Ottawa this past Saturday, earning their third win of the season. While the men's game followed, they couldn't make it a sweep for the Threshers, as they went home with zero points and fell to seventh place in the KCAC standings due to a score of 4-3.
Bethel’s Malaysia Larque drives to the goal in a game against McPherson earlier in the season — Photo by Ava Broxterman
The women's game would take a very possessive first half from both teams, as both teams would go into the locker room for halftime with a scoreless contest.
As both teams headed out for the second half, it wouldn't take long for the first goal to be scored. Malaysia Larque, a freshman from Wichita Falls, Tex., made it seven goals on her season in the 54th minute. Only four minutes later would Larque make her goal count eight, giving the Threshers a 2-0 lead in the 58th minute.
“I feel very lucky to have scored those goals,” Larque said. “I never would have scored them without the amazing assists from Beth and the drive of our team.”
Beth Lloyd, the striker from Manchester, England, would make it four assists on her season; although she didn't grab a goal this time out, she is still making way and giving the Threshers hope in their season.
“We really needed that. We have often started games winning and have had trouble holding on to a result,” head coach Ignacio Milla added. “I felt we were pretty solid defensively through out the game. They found a goal from a shot from 30 plus yards with five minutes and then created some chaos and chances those last minutes but felt great to get the result.”
With this win, there is a spark of desire in the women to complete their goal of making it to the playoffs, which is reserved for the top eight teams in the KCAC. As of now, the women sit in ninth place. With four games left to play in the Threshers’ season, two of the teams they face, Kansas Wesleyan and Avila, are placed above the Threshers (2nd and 4th), with Saint Mary and Sterling sitting in 10th and 14th. It won't be an easy ride to the playoffs, but Milla knows the challenge in front of him and is ready.
“We have dropped some points that we shouldn't have in the past games, so there is little to no margin for error for us right now. Every game is a final. Its super tight in the standings so it will definitely be a fun last couple of weeks to determine playoffs in the conference.”
As for the men's side, with this loss, they are now placed seventh in the KCAC, and like the women, two out of four of the last opponents rank higher than them in the current standings, with Kansas Wesleyan and Saint Mary in second and third place. Both teams will have a dramatic finish to their seasons, making it an exciting end to the KCAC.
To witness said drama, the next games for the Threshers will take place at home versus Kansas Wesleyan on October 23rd, at 5:30 p.m. for the women and 8:00 p.m. for the men in Thresher Stadium.
