Box Score CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The No. 12 Parkland College women's soccer team battled with a very strong Olivet Nazarene junior varsity squad on Thursday, September 29^th, but ultimately fell short in a 2-1 road loss. The Cobras fought hard to tie the game in the 75th minute with a stunning goal, from Macy Wirtz, but the Tigers pulled ahead with just 5 minutes to go and handed Parkland its third straight loss.
 
"I am so proud how this team pulled together and kept fighting for each other tonight, especially when it was evident the odds were against them," Parkland College head coach Dan Vogelsang said after the game. "The results of this game had nothing to do with our play tonight… this team was also facing multiple players from the varsity team, but never gave up.  Again, I am so proud of this team and the heart they showed as they played through a very rough game."
 
The Cobras (6-5) not only faced the NAIA JV squad on Thursday night, but the team also dealt with nagging injuries and fatigue from a busy schedule. The Tigers opened the scoring in the 18th minute and the Cobras went into halftime trailing 1-0. Freshman Hannah Null's nine saves kept Parkland close all afternoon and it looked like the comeback was on when Null's former Urbana High School teammate, Macy Wirtz, buried a shot from 25 yards out to tie the game. The Tigers had other ideas, however, and pulled ahead 10 minutes later, winning the game 2-1 at home. Wirtz's goal, her second this season, was assisted by freshman midfielder Cassidy McQueen, her fourth.
 
Scoring Summary:
 
ONU JV Goal: 18th minute
            HALFTIME
Parkland Goal: Macy Wirtz, 75' (Assisted by Cassidy McQueen)
ONU JV Goal: 85th minute
 
Up next, the Parkland Cobras have a conference showdown in Springfield, Illinois on Saturday, October 1st against the Lincoln Land Community College Loggers. Kickoff is scheduled for 12 PM on Saturday.