McPHERSON - Kansas Wesleyan Women's Soccer assured itself of a first-round home playoff game on Wednesday as the Coyotes shutout the McPherson Bulldogs 2-0 at Paul Family Field.
The victory leaves the Coyotes a point out of second place in the KCAC standings behind Friends, who was defeated by Ottawa 1-0 on Wednesday. A victory against Avila on Sunday for the Coyotes could bump KWU into the No. 2 seed if Friends would eighter draw or lose its Saturday match with McPherson.
It was the third straight shutout for the Coyotes and the ninth of the season.
The victory also kept Wesleyan's all-time record against McPherson unblemished. The Coyotes are now 33-0-4 all-time against McPherson dating back to the start of the program in 1996. KWU has won 11 straight over the Bulldogs. The last draw was in 2016.
Both goals for the Coyotes came in the first half.
Brooklyn Velotta scored the first goal for the Coyotes, her 14th of the season on a long shot that took advantage of the strong south wind, bending back and just over the outstretched arm of the McPherson keeper and in.
The difference remained 1-0 until the 41st minute when Marlee Walsh scored off an assist from Ashlynn Adcock. Adcock sent a ball into Walsh from the right side and Walsh's top-shelf shot from the edge of the penalty box was true making it 2-0.
The Coyotes got the shutout win after McPherson missed a penalty that was awarded with one second left in the match.
Three different Coyotes had two shots each as KWU outshot McPherson 12-8 in the match. Bianka Waxman had just one save in goal for the Coyotes to preserve the shutout.