The 2019 Mustangs saw their first action of the fall when they welcomed back to campus the alumni team. Former Mustangs showing up for the scrimmage were; Izzy Gutierrez (2015), Maya Perrin (2015-16), Kaitlyn Pryor (2017-18), Odalis Hernandez (2015), MKenzie Safford (2015-16), Jaden Auger (2017-18), Marisol Castillo (2014-15), Heather Proctor (2014-15), Jessica Arevalo (2016-17), Emma Barnes (2017-18) and MaKayla Barnes (2017-18). This was a very formidable alumni team with four players continuing their playing career after Western and with five players who earned All Region playing awards with the Mustangs.
Most of the first half was chalked full of near misses and shots off of target. For the Mustangs Graisy Greener, Cassie Southwick, Hayden Rupe, Lizzy Clark and Karly Conolly all had chances. For the alumni the chances were fewer but they made the most of their opportunities when Kaitlyn Pryor scored in the 34th minute of play from an assist by Jaden Auger. The Alumni would keep the 1 - 0 lead into the halftime break.In the second half the Mustang chances decreased in front of goal but their efficiency with those chances increased. In the 51st minute of play Taya Merrell hit a shot off of the post. Just four minutes later Karly Conolly beat her defender and scored the first goal for WWCC in the scrimmage off of an assist from Lizzy Clark. It would be another twenty minutes (75th minute) before the Mustangs would find the winning goal. Kylee Manning scored a beautiful bending shot from 20 yards out off of a touch pass assist from Alison Boman. The Mustang defense and keeper had their work cut out for them in the final minutes with a slim 2 - 1 lead. Michaelee Wisniewski and Cassie Southwick worked together to clear a ball off of the goal line in the 76th minute. Markell Freeman made a nice save off of a headed shot from the alumni in the 78th minute of play. Lightning and weather in the area caused the scrimmage to be called in the 81st minute.
Sophomores for the Mustangs who started their second campaign with this scrimmage are; Kylee Manning, Abbie Riley, McKay Smith, Lizzy Clark, Taya Merrell and Markell Freeman. Freshmen players who saw their first collegiate action are; Sydney Simmons, Kassidee Jeppesen, Alison Boman, Vanessa De Leon, Porter Brown, Karly Conolly, Jenna Proctor, Lexi Chenoweth, Michaelee Wisniewski, Rhylee Freeman, Hayden Rupe, Kloe Swallow, Graisy Greener and Cassie Southwick.
Mustang Valuable Player: Kylee Manning - for the golazo that put the Mustangs ahead.
Up Next for the Mustangs: 1st official scrimmage of 2019 - at Price UT verus USU-Eastern on Thursday August 15th at 3pm.
