MANKATO, Minn. – The greatest season in Griffon soccer history came to a close on Friday afternoon with Missouri Western (17-5) losing 1-0 to Southwestern Oklahoma State (13-3-4) in the first round of the NCAA Central Region Championships.
Despite being outshout 12-4 in the first half, the Griffons went to halftime scoreless with the Bulldogs who had scored 56 goals coming into the game. The nation’s leading scorer, Alimata Rabo, scored her 28thgoal of the seaon in the 66th minute when she beat Sarah Lyle to the goal. Missouri Western had chances to answer, outshooting Southwestern Oklahoma 7-4 in the second half, but couldn’t find the equalizer.
Lyle finished with seven saves in goal for the Griffons. Mackenzie O’Neill led Missouri Western with four shots and the only shot on goal the Griffons were credited with.
Missouri Western broke more than 30 individual and team records this season including the most wins in program history and most shutouts. The Griffons advanced farther in the postseason than any previous Missouri Western team, advancing to the MIAA Championships final and making the program’s first-ever appearance in the NCAA Championships.
— MWSU Athletics —