Lindenwood women’s soccer (10-5-5-, 5-2-2 OVC) fell just short of repeating as Ohio Valley Conference champions as they fell to the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles (7-6-8, 6-0-3) 2-0 on Sunday evening.
Lindenwood failed to capitalize on chances early before conceding a pair of late second-half goals, ending their season and their quest for back-to-back OVC Championships, and their first-ever appearance in an NCAA tournament at the Division-1 level.
The Lions came out of the gates with their foot on the gas as they applied heavy offensive pressure on the Golden Eagles’ defense with six shots in the contest’s first 18 minutes compared to just one for Tennessee Tech. Three of those tries were on goal, but TTU goalkeeper Maggie Conrad was up to the challenge and kept the Lions off the board.
Tennessee Tech had a few chances at the end of the half but only managed one shot on goal, easily handled by Caroline Ritter, sending the game to the half tied 0-0.
In the second half, it was all Golden Eagles as they outshot the Lions 12-1 in the final 45 minutes, including having six shots on goal. They also drew seven corners in the second half to have plenty of chances to find a goal.
However, a pair of fantastic saves by Caroline Ritter, including a leaping effort to turn away a strike from the top of the box, and a diving save on a Tennessee Tech free kick a few minutes later, kept things scoreless as the clock ticked towards zero.
Tennessee Tech finally broke through in the 79th minute off a great pass from Tori Soutuyo found the head of Katie Toney, who rose and headed it past Ritter, giving the Golden Eagles a 1-0 lead. Less than a minute later, the Lions would foul the Golden Eagles in the box, setting up Toney for a penalty kick, which she converted, growing the lead to 2-0.
Lindenwood couldn’t generate any late-game magic as the final buzzer sounded, ending their season and their quest to go back-to-back.
Lindenwood placed five players on All-OVC teams, with Mackenzie Compton, Tasneem Dizdarevic, Rachel Jackson, and Allison Schrumpf all being named to the second team. At the same time, Alysse Lamb was selected to the All-Newcomer team.
Three Lions were named to the OVC All-Tournament Team, including Compton, Jackson, and Anna Johnson.
