No. 14 Seed Women's Soccer Advances With Win Over Truett McConnell

Marshall, Mo., (Nov. 23, 2024)- The Missouri Valley College women's soccer hosted Truett McConnell (Ga.) in the second round of the 2024 NAIA Women's Soccer National Championship, Saturday inside Volney C. Ashford Stadium.  The No. 14 seeded Vikings trailed early, but used a late game-winner to earn a 3-2 victory, and advance in the National tournament.

The game started with Truett McConnell taking much of the early possession, however, both teams were kept from producing quality chances on goal through much of play in the half.  The first quality chance came with more than 32-minutes played in the contest, as Sophomore Goalkeeper Marina Barbara Bujalance (Cornella Llobregat, Spain) was forced into a close-range save.  The rebound off the save fell to a Truett McConnell player, who put the second attempt into goal to make it 1-0.  The Vikings responded just over three minutes later with their first chance on goal.  Junior Midfielder Judit Ferre (Barcelona, Spain) sent a pass to the top of the box towards Junior Midfielder Carla Carmona (Barcelona, Spain).  The shot from Carmona went over the keeper and into the top-left corner of goal to tie the teams at 1-1.  Moments after the restart, MVC regained possession, and Freshman Defender Lucia Torres Vizcaino (Malaga, Spain) set up Junior Forward Silivia Maldonado (Madrid, Spain) with a chance on goal.  The shot from Maldonado went past the keeper and Missouri Valley quickly went in front, 2-1.  Truett McConnell was unable to create chances in the final minutes of the half, and Missouri Valley went into the break with a one-goal advantage.

The two teams traded chances as play resumed in the second half.  Missouri Valley failed to clear the ball from its defensive part of the field, and Truett McConnell took advantage, tying the contest at 2-2, midway through the half.  The Vikings followed with shots on goal from Ferre and Senior Forward Ashley Arribas (Lake Forest, Calif.), but both attempts were saved through the 71-minute mark.  Truett McConnell came close to regaining the advantage, as Barbara Bujalance needed to make two saves the game as went into the final ten minutes of regulation.  Missouri Valley eventually created one more opportunity, as Carmona sent a pass towards Arribas near the Truett McConnell box, and Arribas put the ensuing shot into goal to put MVC on top once again, 3-2, with under seven minutes to play.  The Vikings held their opponent from creating any late chances, and eventually ran out the clock in a 3-2 victory to advance in the National tournament.

Arribas scored goal No. 13 on the season, and recorded the fourth game-winning goal.  Arribas now has 29 points, and becomes the first player in program-history to reach the 100 point club, sitting with 101 points as a Viking.  Carmona added one goal and one assist, and sits with five goals, six assists and 16 points.  Maldonado has three goals.  Two assists gives Ferre nine assists and 23 points on the season, while Torres Vizcaino has three assists.  Barbara Bujalance made three saves.  Missouri Valley got off nine shots in the game, and two corner kicks.

The win moves Missouri Valley to 15-4-3 on the season, while Truett McConnell ends its season with a 16-2-3 record.  The Vikings advance to the National site at Ashton Brosnaham Soccer Complex in Pensacola, Fla.  This is the first time the women's soccer team has advanced to the National site since it's National runner-up finish at the 1991 tournament.  The team will play a third round game, Dec. 3, at 4 p.m., against No. 3 seed Keiser (Fla.).

Box Score-Click Here

About Missouri Valley College

Known for its dynamic, richly diverse, and friendly educational environment, Missouri Valley College offers many opportunities to grow in mind, body, and spirit. Grounded in the liberal arts, undergraduate studies empower students to master interdisciplinary skills needed to succeed in a knowledge-based global society. MVC offers over 30 academic programs, study abroad program, extracurricular activities, and a wide variety of sports. The most popular majors include education and business, criminal justice and exercise science. Above all, Valley is committed to student success. For more information, call (660) 831-4000 or visit www.moval.edu.