Mac-Hi edges Baker girls soccer

By Gerry Steele

This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Baker started strong, but Mac-Hi finished stronger Saturday in a Greater Oregon League girls soccer match at the Baker Sports Complex.

Baker jumped out to an early 2-0 lead, but couldn’t hold it. Mac-Hi rallied to take a 3-2 halftime lead, then went on to post a 6-4 victory.

Baker scored its first goal seconds into the match.

Allie Brown took a pass in front of the Mac-Hi net and fired home the sore past the Pioneer keeper.

Mac-Hi had several opportunities to even the score, but Baker keeper Sierra Howerton was like a stone wall in front of her net.

The Bulldogs then increased their lead to 2-0 when Rachel Streifel took a pass to the left of the Mac-Hi goal and beat two Pioneer defenders on a run toward the net.

Streifel then made a glancing move in front of the keeper and made the shot as the keeper dove the other way.

As solid as Howerton was early, Mac-Hi found several openings in the Baker defense late in the first half.

Defensive errors led to Mac-Hi tying the match at 2-2.

Then, shortly before halftime, Howerton let a Pioneer shot slip through her hands for the go-ahead goal.

Mac-Hi increased its lead to 4-2 early in the second half when Howerton was screened by one of her defenders and didn’t see the shot until it was too late.

Baker got one goal back a few minutes late when Streifel was tackled in the penalty box and converted a penalty kick to pull the Bulldogs within 4-3.

But, Mac-Hi answered with two more goals to keep Baker away.

Baker freshman Lindsey Livingston completed the scoring near the end of the half.

Baker hosts Pendleton in a non-league match Tuesday at 4 p.m.