No. 14 Women's Soccer Falls in Overtime to No. 3 Seed Keiser in National Tournament

Pensacola, Fla., (Dec. 3, 2024)- The No. 14 seed Missouri Valley College women's soccer team played in the third round of the 2024 NAIA Women's Soccer National Championship Tuesday evening in Pensacola, Fla., against No. 3 seed Keiser (Fla.).  The Vikings took an early lead in the contest, and eventually went to overtime, but fell by a final score of 3-2.

The game started with Keiser creating the first opportunity on goal, forcing Sophomore Goalkeeper Marina Barbara Bujalance (Cornella Llobregat, Spain) into a save moments after the opening kickoff.  The two teams traded possession through the next stretch of play, with Missouri Valley earning a free kick on the Keiser half of the field.  The free kick was sent into the Keiser box, and Junior Defender Marta Carrasco Mesa (Sevilla, Spain) drew a foul, which resulted in a penalty kick.  Junior Midfielder Carla Carmona (Barcelona, Spain) stepped up to the spot, and put the penalty kick past the keeper and into goal to push MVC ahead, 1-0, with just over 17 minutes played.  Keiser came back with the better of possession over the next few minutes, and created five corner kick situations.  The fifth corner kick led to the game-tying goal at the 24-minute mark to make it 1-1.  Keiser came close to increasing its advantage, putting a shot off the post and forcing Barbara Bujalance into another save over the next five minutes.  With just over seven minutes to play in the half, a long shot from Keiser was deflected off the crossbar by Barbara Bujalance, but the rebound fell in front of goal, and Keiser scored on the second chance to move in front, 2-1.  Just over one minute later, the Vikings earned a corner kick, and Junior Midfielder Madi Hudson (Sandbach, England) sent in the cross, which found Carrasco Mesa.  The attempt from Carrasco Mesa went to the opposite post, and into goal to tie the teams again, this time at 2-2.  Both teams were unable to put another shot on goal at the end of the half, and went into the break tied.

The second half featured possession by Keiser through much of play after the restart.  Junior Midfielder Judit Ferre (Barcelona, Spain) broke through with a chance on goal near the 77-minute mark, but the attempt was saved.  Keiser answered with chances just over one minute later, as Barbara Bujalance made a pair of saves to keep the teams tied.  The Vikings were unable to put another shot on goal through the rest of the half, while Barbara Bujalance came up with one more save in the final nine minutes of regulation.  With the score tied at 2-2 after 90-minutes of play, the contest went into golden goal overtime.

The first overtime period started with a shot on goal from Keiser after one minute of play, which was saved by Barbara Bujalance.  Keiser continued to pressure the Vikings defensively, and eventually scored the game-winner, just over two minutes into the first overtime period.  Missouri Valley fell by a final score of 3-2.

Carmona scored her sixth goal of the season, and finished with 18 points.  Carrasco Mesa added her sixth goal, and totaled 17 points on the season.  Hudson recorded her fourth assist.  Barbara Bujalance tied a season-high with seven saves in goal.  Missouri Valley finished the game with five shots.

The loss ends the Missouri Valley season at 15-5-1, while Keiser advances to the National quarterfinals with a 16-1-1 record.

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.