The No. 9-ranked and top-seeded Raven Women's Soccer team scored two unanswered goals during the 65th and 68th minutes as they earned a come-back win over fourth-seeded Missouri Valley College on Tuesday night at the BC Soccer Complex.
Benedictine (17-1-2) played through a physical match that saw a combined 35 fouls and six cards en route to a Heart Tournament Semifinal win over the Vikings (11-6-2).
It was the third straight meeting in the Heart Tournament Semifinals for the two squads. After after playing to a scoreless draw through the first 15 minutes of play, the scoring came in bunches for both teams.
During the 17th minute, Abbie Hair centered a through ball into the box that connected to the head of Emily Ambuul to pushed it past Missouri Valley keeper Summer Budaj. Benedictine's second goal came during the 19th minute when Olivia Meyer sent a ball toward the right side of the box where Anna Romano collected it and beat Budaj for the Ravens second goal.
Valley answered during the 20th minute when Cali Fournier beat the Ravens on a quick restart and pushed it inside the far post past a diving Ashley Rehagen for Benedictine. The Vikings pulled even during the 22nd minute of a goal from Valentina Cardoso-Rodriguez and that's where the match remained through halftime.
Fournier struck first for the Vikings during the 49th minute to give Missouri Valley their first lead of the match and they remained in front until the 65h minute.
Ambuul scored her second goal of the match off a header after Meyers sent a free kick near the goal during the 65h minute and then Ravens pulled back in front on another free kick from Meyers which was headed past Budaj this time by Maisy Louree.
Louree's goal proved to be the game-winner for the Ravens and they where able to hold their lead as the Vikings couldn't put together another sustained offensive run.
Benedictine finished with a five-shot advantage with nine shots on goal. The Ravens were called for 14 fouls while Valley finished with 21, which included four yellow cards and one red card.
Rehagen finished with five saves in the winning effort.
The Ravens now host the No. 3 seed Central Methodist University on Friday at 7 p.m. as they Eagles knocked off No. 2 seed MNU in Olathe, 1-0, in extra time on Tuesday afternoon.
