Ravens Pull Away Late from Mustangs

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — Mount Mercy stayed level into the final 10 minutes, but Benedictine capitalized on late opportunities to secure a 3-1 victory Saturday at Hadzic Field.

The Mustangs matched the Ravens in the run of play throughout the first half, with goalkeeper Manuela Gutierrez recording three saves to keep the match scoreless at the break. Hazel Koenighain preserved the deadlock early in the second half, clearing a Madison Casey header off the goal line in the 48th minute.

Benedictine broke through in the 62nd minute when Payton Vogelbacher converted from close range off an assist from Rowan Yows. Mount Mercy responded with its best sequence of the day. Following a corner kick in the 71st minute, Eden Campbell delivered service into the area where Nadine Sanchez finished with a header to level the score at 1-1.

Momentum shifted in the closing stages. Isabel Agudelo put the Ravens back ahead in the 81st minute, finishing a pass from Vogelbacher. Less than a minute later, Yows doubled the advantage with a goal assisted by Teya Bigknife to make it 3-1.

Gutierrez finished with six saves, facing 18 total shots as Benedictine pushed numbers forward in the final third. The Mustangs produced six shots, with Sanchez and Brielle Bastian each registering efforts on frame. Mount Mercy earned four corner kicks, including the sequence that led to its lone goal.

The Mustangs will next return to the pitch in Missouri, taking on Missouri Baptist on Saturday.