ST. LOUIS – The University of Missouri-St. Louis women's soccer team defeated crosstown rival Maryville 2-1 on Sunday afternoon at Lonnie Folks Field to win its first Midwest Regional title in program history. The Tritons improve to 15-4-2 while the Saints finish their season with a record of 13-3-6.
The 15 wins for UMSL this season are tied with the 1982 team for the second most wins in a single season in program history. The program record of 16 wins was set in 1981 and matched in 1996.
The Tritons advance to the quarterfinal round and will take on Washburn next Saturday (Dec. 6) at a time and place to be determined.
The first half was a tight affair until the 29th minute when UMSL earned its first corner kick of the game.
Natalie Heib sent a beautiful ball in, spinning at the near post that
Natalie Scott beat the keeper to and deflected into the net to put the Tritons up 1-0.
UMSL outshot Maryville 6-5 in the first 45 minutes including 3-1 in shots on goal.
Ella Anselm scored the second Triton goal of the game just two minutes into the second half.
Josie Maddox sent a cross into the box that took a deflection and Anselm quickly tucked the ball into the net to give UMSL the two-goal lead.
The Saints had some opportunities but were unable to get on the scoreboard until the 88th minute off a corner kick. Izzy Oldroyd crossed the ball into the box and found Elsa Nilson-Hurtig who scored to cut the lead in half.
Maryville nearly tied the game a minute later as Allison Estanich got off a shot but
Rylee Griffith was there to make the save. The Saints had a corner kick in the final 0:10 but were unable to get it off before the clock expired.
The Saints outshot the Tritons 13-8 in the contest including 6-5 in shots on goal but Griffith made five saves to pick up her 15th win of the season. Anselm and Scott combined for four of UMSL's eight shots in the contest and three of the shots on goal.
Ashlynne Hunt and Emily Doane led Maryville with three shots each and Sophia Sulawske made three saves in goal for the Saints.
