Delta Drops Thriller to Muskegon

Muskegon, MI – The Delta College women's soccer team has been playing close, meaningful matches for much of their league schedule over the past two weeks but no game was more meaningful during that stretch than the one they played Friday night.  Holding down a tie for fifth place in the Region XII standing, the Lady Pioneers knew that a loss would dash their post-season hopes while a win would allow them to survive another game.

The Jayhawks of Muskegon had the same stakes on the line and played like it as both teams played the first half and second half to scoreless ties.  Even the first overtime ended with score knotted at zero and left many to think that regardless of the winner, it's a shame that one of these gritty, hardnosed teams had to lose.

Alas, for the Pioneers faithful it came to a disappointing and swift conclusion as Muskegon's Caitlin Hughey scored in the 104^th minute to give the hosts the victory.

With the loss, Delta is now  6-8 overall and 5-4 in the conference.

"I was very proud of the girls, and the effort by both teams was an indication that every player realized that their post season aspirations would come through this game," said Coach Gary Stenglein.  "We played well, and it came down to who would finish their scoring opportunities."

In each half of play, both teams had decent scoring opportunities while both keepers came up with huge saves to keep the game tied at 0-0.  Delta had its best opportunity with just minutes remaining in regulation as the Pioneers had a breakaway one on one opportunity with the Muskegon keeper but was snuffed out to keep the game tied and push it into overtime.

 The first overtime would go back and forth with no official shots on goal and would also end  with a 0-0 score.  It wasn't until the second overtime that Muskegon would send a ball on goal that was saved by Delta keeper Ali Bourchier initially but was then collected byHughey who put it back on goal for the winning score. 

This is the first time in the five year history of the women's soccer program at Delta that the Pioneers haven't qualified for the post-season. 

"Not making the tournament was certainly disappointing this year," said Stenglein.  "We will learn from this, and we will be prepared to be a stronger team next year."

Delta plays Ancilla Community College on Sunday to wrap up the league portion of their schedule for the 2015 season.  Game time is scheduled for 1pm in Donaldson, Indiana.