Mankato, Minn. --- The No. 13 Minnesota State soccer team's season comes to an end after falling in the NCAA Tournament Quarterfinal to #2 Grand Valley State on Sunday at SCHEELS Field in the Maverick All-Sports Dome.
The Mavericks (19-4-1) won 19 matches for the second year in a row, which is tied for the second most in program history. This was the second time that Minnesota State advanced to the Elite Eight and also fell to Grand Valley State in the 2012 season.
The Lakers jumped out to a 3-0 lead by the end of the first half, which is the largest deficit the Mavericks have seen all season. Junior
Ava Cook scored the first two goals in the 14th and 32nd minutes with throw ins by junior
Makenna Schoolman leading to both goals. Senior
Riko Sagara scored the final goal of the half in the 39th minute to give Grand Valley State the 3-0 advantage.
GVSU scored one more goal before MSU got on the board three minutes into the second half as Sagara converted on a free kick right outside the box. In the 67th minute, the Mavericks scored both goals off corner kicks. Senior
Alesha Duccini headed in both corner kicks for her fifth and sixth goals of the season. Sophomore
Brynn Desens sent both corner kicks into the box for her 15th and 16th assists of the season. The first assist broke the single season record for assists in a season, which was originally held by
Emily Moris (2014) who had 14. The Lakers scored the final goal of the match when Cook took on three Maverick defenders and completed the hat trick by scoring inside the left post.
Senior
Alexa Rabune (17-3-1) made eight saves and allowed five goals in the loss. Senior
Taylor Kenealy played her 91st career match at MSU, which is now the most in Minnesota State history, passing
Emily Moris (2011-14) who had 90 matches played in her career.
Minnesota State was outshot by Grand Valley State 29-11 shot advantage, including 13-7 in shots on goal. The Mavericks had six corner kicks to the Lakers three in the match.
Head coach
Brian Bahl, senior
Bri Ciaccio, Desens, Duccini, Kenealy and Rabune commented following the match.
