Foley, Alabama – Women's Soccer lost a heartbreaker in the NAIA Women's Soccer Championship Round of 16 Monday night.
The No. 24 Ravens lost to the No. 12 University of Tennessee Southern Firehawks, 1-1, with the match decided 3-0 in favor of the Firehawks in penalty kicks.
After a scoreless opening half, Sam Mausbach opened the scoring with a brilliant goal with 33 minutes to play. Mausbach sent in a long shot from the right side that glanced off the hand of the leaping Firehawks keeper into the net to give the Ravens a 1-0 lead.
The Firehawks pressed forward searching for an equalizing goal, and it finally came with 7 minutes to play. Miran Sakai found the ball at her feet in the box, faked left and then used her right foot for the goal to tie the game 1-1 with 7:02 on the clock. The Ravens tried to answer in the closing minutes, but the teams ended regulation knotted up 1-1.
Christine Znidarsic had an opportunity to give the Ravens the lead in the first overtime period, but it was saved by the Firehawks. Defensively, the Ravens thwarted a pair of corner-kick opportunities from the Firehawks.
Late in the second overtime, the Ravens had two close chances on free kicks but were unable to find a winner and the match went into PKs. The Ravens first try deflected off the post, then their next two attempts were saved by UT-Southern's Layken Stockstill. The Firehawks were able to slot home their first three PK attempts to earn the win and advance in the tournament.
The Ravens started off the contest in nearly the best way imaginable as Riley Degner put a shot on goal in the opening minute, but Stockstill was in place for the save.
After some early pressure from the Ravens attack, the field tilted in favor of the Firehawks attack. UT-Southern began pressing forward to create dangerous chances. Fortunately for the Ravens, Mackenzie Korzenecki and the back line were up to the task. Korzenecki was called on to make 4 saves in the opening 45 minutes, including two close shots in the box.
The Ravens attack was able to gain their footing again towards the end of the first half but the teams entered the break scoreless. Degner had another good look in the box, but the Firehawks defender did well to block the shot.
Mausbach's goal gave the Ravens the lead in the second, but late heroics by the Firehawks forced overtime and the eventual PKs.
The Ravens were outshot 21-12, and 9-6 in shots on goal. Korzenecki made 8 saves in the match and the Ravens back line did well to hold the Firehawks potent attack to 1 goal in 110 minutes.
The Ravens close out the season with a record of 14-4-5 and their first appearance at the NAIA National Championships final site since 2018.
