Columbia, Mo. – The Friends University Falcons went toe-to-toe with the No. 21-ranked University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma Drovers but came up just short in a 2-1 setback tonight (Nov. 21) in the first round of the NAIA National Championship Tournament.
Down 1-0 in the second half, Lina Willemsen blasted a shot into the right corner of the net to square the match less than four minutes after halftime.
But USAO answered with a goal from Ilse de Jong just five minutes later to regain the lead.
The Falcons put pressure on the Drovers down the stretch with seven shots from that point, including a shot with 40 seconds left by Keily Larosee that was saved by Ashlyn Lonberg that sealed the USAO win.
"Tough result tonight, our team played very well and controlled most of the game," said Friends women's soccer head coach Brent Hobson. "We moved the ball well and had some chances. A few big plays we just didn't capitalize on. Incredibly proud of the brand of soccer we displayed tonight on the national stage. Our players earned the right to be in the National Tournament and we're gutted to not be moving on."
The Falcons outshot the Drovers 7-2 in the first half but trailed 1-0 thanks to a goal by Cloey Prachyl in the 27th minute.
As Hobson alluded to, the Falcons controlled possession and outshot the Drovers 15-5 overall and 4-3 on-goal.
Willemsen led the Falcons with four shots, while Keily Larosee, the Falcons all-time modern-era goals leader, recorded three shots in her final match at Friends.
Nia Baker made one save for the Falcons and Lonberg had three stops for the Drovers (18-2-1), who advance to the second round to face the bracket host and No. 8-ranked Columbia College Saturday (Nov. 23) at 1 pm.
The Falcons' season that featured the first KCAC Tournament championship in the modern-era and the program's fourth NAIA National Championship Tournament appearance in the last six years, ends with a fine record of 14-6-2.
"This senior class was exactly what you want as a coach," said Hobson. "Just true leaders on and off the field. They've impacted this program in so many ways. I'm extremely thankful for all of them. They made some history this year, and get to go out as KCAC Tournament Champions."
