Women’s soccer falls in conference semifinals

Story by Nathalia Barr, Managing Editor

The Baker University women’s soccer team fell in the Heart of America Athletic Conference tournament semifinals to MidAmerica Nazarene Tuesday night. Although the Wildcats are out of the tournament, they still have the opportunity to receive an at-large bid to the NAIA National Championship in Orange Beach, Alabama.

The Wildcats and Pioneers were still tied at 1-1 after regulation and two overtime periods, sending them into a penalty kick shootout. MNU defeated Baker 7-6 in the shootout, advancing the Pioneers to the finals of the conference tournament to take on No. 1 seeded Benedictine.

Junior Kady Dieringer scored Baker’s only goal in regulation off an assist from senior Katie Hibbeler. The Pioneers answered in the second half with an unassisted goal from Hannah Benedict.

Junior Megan Johnson and senior Krista Hooper led Baker with four shot attempts each. MNU goalkeeper Anesa Curic made six saves for the Pioneers.

In their first game of the Heart tournament, the Wildcats defeated Culver-Stockton 2-1. Goals for the ‘Cats came from Dieringer and Hibbeler off of assists from Hooper and Maria Flores Tome.

Baker outshot CSC 14-3 with six attempts on goal. Goalkeeper Rachel Hunt recorded one save to ensure the win for the ‘Cats.

The Wildcats are now 14-3-3 on the season. The bracket for the national tournament will be announced Monday, Nov. 14.