COLUMBIA, Mo. – Benedictine Women's Soccer played a rare return match against a non-conference opponent on Saturday afternoon as the No. 24-ranked Ravens took on the No. 5-ranked Columbia College Cougars in the Second Round of the NAIA Women's Soccer National Championship.

Riley Degner scored off an assist from Annabelle Hoog during the 96th minute, and then Benedictine held Columbia scoreless through the remaining overtime minutes as the Ravens earned a 1-0 win to advance to the championship site in Foley, Alabama.

Columbia held the advantage in shots through the end of regulation 22-8, but the Raven defense answered the call. Mackenzie Korzenecki recorded 8 of her 10 saves in the second half and picked up her final save in the first overtime period that preserved the tie during the 91st minute.

Degner's goal came after a lengthy delay in play that resulted in a red card being issued to Columbia's Emilia Zolesio Fernandez Blanco that put the Ravens up a player from the 92nd minute on.

Hoog sent a ball through the box from just behind the Ravens bench that Degner was able to connect with a push inside the far post past Columbia keeper Natalie Allison. 

The win by the Ravens snapped a 10-match winning streak by the Cougars and Columbia's first loss since a 1-0 loss to NCAA Southeast Missouri State University back on Sept. 14. It also avenged a 2-0 loss at the hands of the Cougars back on Sept. 2 in Atchison.

Benedictine returns to the NAIA National Championship host site for the first time since 2018. This year's Championship moves to Foley, Ala., where it will be played at the Foley Sports Tourism Championship Stadium beginning with the third round on Monday, Nov. 27. 

www.ravenathletics.com | #UnleashGreatness www.benedictine.edu