Creighton University
Evansville
Women's Soccer Season Ends With 2-1 Loss to Evansville
11/3/2006 2:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
The first half was marked with missed opportunities for both squads with neither team grabbing the advantage. In the 32nd minute however Evansville went on top 1-0 when a Creighton defender knocked the ball into CU's net. The Aces had a chance to make it 2-0 going into the half when Kayla Lambert had a break away with 2 minutes left. CU goalkeeper Valerie Zimmerer came out of the shadow of her own goal and met Lambert at the top of the box. Zimmerer made a diving save and kept the Jays just one goal down.
In the second half both teams had opportunities to score, with Creighton edging Evansville 7-6 in shots on goal. CU capitalized in the 53rd minute when a shot by Kristine Willrett bounced off of a UE defender and Anne Peetz knocked the ball into the net from five yards out. This was the freshman's second goal of the season, her first since Aug. 27 in a match against Indiana.
Evansville answered back at the 77th mark to take a 2-1 lead on a goal by Mia Tofano. It was her 12th goal of the season and ended up being the game-winner, Tofano's second of the season. Creighton had a chance with four minutes remaining in regulation to tie the match at two apiece. Marcy Gans had a shot at the goal from 10 yards out but UE goalkeeper Whitney Raeon made a game saving stop and preserved the win. Gans finished the night leading Creighton with six shots.
"I would like to commend Evansville's players on their victory tonight," said head coach Bruce Erickson. "We had our chances but could not convert our opportunities and Evansville did."
For the match Creighton outshot Evansville 17-12 and had a 5-2 advantage in corner kicks.
The Bluejays end their season with an overall record of 9-8-2 and a record of 3-2-1 in the Missouri Valley Conference. Evansville moves on to the finals for the first time since 2001. UE faces No. 1 seed Drake at 3:05 p.m. on Sunday at Morrison Stadium, the winner getting an automatic birth to the NCAA Women's Soccer Tournament. Drake defeated No. 5 Missouri State 1-0 in overtime Friday night in the first semifinal match at Morrison Stadium.
