Sakai, Ries key Mustang comeback

Late goals by Miran Sakai and Grace Ries sparked the Mount Mercy women's soccer team to a come-from-behind, 2-1 Heart of America Athletic Conference victory over Culver-Stockton on Wednesday night at Hadzic Field.

The Mustangs trailed, 1-0, after Hildur Bergvinsdottir curled in a corner kick for the Wildcats in the 38th minute. Mount Mercy, which had half the shot attempts of Culver-Stockton but more shots on goal, hung around and leveled the match on Sakai's goal from Brielle Bastian in the 74th minute.

Seven minutes later, Ries knocked in a cross by Eden Campbell for the clincher that gave the Mustangs (2-4-1, 1-3-0) their first conference victory of the season. The Wildcats dropped to 4-5-1 overall and 2-3-0 in the Heart. Grace Byers had a pair of saves for Mount Mercy while Mackenzie Frizzell matched that total for Culver-Stockton.

The Mustangs are on the road for their next two matches, beginning with a trip to Lamoni to take on Graceland on Saturday at 5:30 pm.