Luna's 2nd Half Goals Not Enough to Overcome Centenary in Friday's Setback
IRVING, Texas – The University of Dallas women's soccer team suffered its first conference setback and allowed a goal for the first time this month, as Centenary College prevailed in a huge match that affected the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC) standings on a wet Friday evening.
Dallas (8-5-1, 4-1 SCAC) displayed some resiliency after being down 2-0 at halftime, as Bella Luna (San Antonio, Texas) scored both goals for the home side to tie things in the next stanza. It was the Ladies (13-1, 4-1 SCAC) that pulled the game-winning goal out in the 73rd minute with Gabby McDonald breaking through deep on the right side of the box.
Friday's result, coupled with Southwestern University defeating Texas Lutheran University has placed a trio of 4-win teams in the SCAC standings with 12 points.
Centenary gained an early advantage at the 22:08 minute mark on Betzabet Bravo Carmo scoring on assists from Krya Montes and Emilee Byrd.
The goal allowed by the Crusaders snapped a five-game streak and span of 477:25 minutes dating back to the last time these teams met in Shreveport.
Migui Boldrin connected on the team's second goal of the game late in the half to make it a 2-0 lead for the Maroon and White. Bravo Carmo and Montes provided a double assist that set Boldrin to strike across from the left of the box to the far right side.
Luna quickly got the Crusaders back on the board at the 47:06 minute mark. May Lien Le (Katy, Texas) served a pass from the right side to find Elisa Duran (Pomona, Calif.) towards the center of the goal. After a long strike by the senior that was saved by Centenary's goalkeeper Karlie Delhommer, Luna was positioned to the right side for a rebound that she successfully tapped in.
Dallas had a couple opportunities at knotting the score in the 64th minute, as Alyssa Mencacci (League City, Texas) hit the crossbar and Makayla Snow (North Richland Hills, Texas) had a long attempt saved. Minutes later, Monica O'Donnell (Lincoln, Neb.) passed to her far right and Luna from deep had a one-touch shot that was lifted out of the reach of Delhommer.
Luna became the fourth player with two goals and fourth freshmen to score on the squad.
There were eight cards handed out with four on each side. A crucial one for Dallas came at the 67:39 mark on Snow with it being a red card.
A couple minutes later Avery Gilbert passed to the left side of the field from the box and Boldrin found McDonald for the game-winner.
The Crusaders sent a pair of shots with under two minutes left in regulation, but could not control much of the offense after Centenary went ahead.
Delhommer managed six saves and the Ladies added a team save. Centenary was outshot 14-12 and beaten 9-5 on shots on goal. Although, the Crusaders did hold Centenary to just three in the last 45 minutes. UD also held an 8-3 edge in corner kicks.
Olivia Severson (La Crosse, Wis.) picked up two saves in 90 minutes. Luna was the star offensively with four shots, three on target, and her first collegiate goals. O'Donnell notched her second helper.
Since these teams began playing each other in the SCAC in 2013, the Crusaders had gone 6-0 versus Centenary in Irving. However, this setback was the first time these programs played each other on the recently renovated field done back in the summer of 2018.
UP NEXT
Dallas hosts University of St. Thomas on Sunday at 12 p.m. Seniors will be recognized prior in honor of Senior Day.