KANSAS CITY – For the second season in a row the University of Missouri-St. Louis women's soccer team upset the number one seed in the first round of the GLVC Tournament. Last season the Tritons knocked off McKendree in penalty kicks and this year UMSL defeated Rockhurst 2-1 on Sunday afternoon at Bourke Field.
The Tritons (6-6-5) will take on fifth-seeded Illinois Springfield in the semifinal round this Friday (Nov. 4) at McKendree. The Prairie Stars won the first matchup this season 1-0 at Don Dallas Field on Sept. 18. UIS knocked off fourth-seeded Lewis 1-0 on Sunday afternoon at Lewis Stadium in Romeoville, Ill.
UMSL jumped on top in the 11th minute.
Jalyn Richardson played a ball ahead to
Grace Osvath along the left side of the penalty box. Osvath dropped it off to
Maya Ware who teed it up from just outside the box and beat the goalkeeper to the lower left corner for her third goal of the season.
The Tritons added to their lead 10:40 later as
Candice Parziani converted a penalty kick for her third goal of the season. The play was setup as Richardson was pulled down in the penalty area.
Rockhurst (11-3-3) held an 11-9 advantage in shots but UMSL put six of their nine shots on goal compared to one for the Hawks.
Rockhurst had a chance to cut the Triton lead in half 1:24 into the second frame. UMSL was called for a handball in the box resulting in a penalty kick. Lizzo Rosenthal took the kick but
Paige Schwartz read it perfectly and made the save.
The Tritons had three chances to extend their lead later in the half. Richardson missed a shot wide left in the 69th minute and then hit the post about a minute later.
Mia Milazzo had a chance in the 77th minute that was saved by Taylor James.
The Hawks continued applying pressure, but Schwartz was up to the challenge making six saves in the stanza.
Rockhurst got on the board with 7:37 remaining. Anna Lantz scored from the top of the box off a cross with assists from Elle Kimball and Gabby Hennessy.
The Hawks had a chance at the equalizer in the 86th minute but Schwartz stopped Mallory Mamby's attempt.
Rockhurst had three corner kicks in the final minute of play but were unable to get any shots on goal.
The Hawks outshot UMSL 10-4 in the second half including 7-2 in shots on target. Rockhurst finished the contest with a 21-13 advantage in shots with each side putting eight shots on goal.