(DECATUR, Ala., Dec. 1) – The No. 11 McKendree University Bearcats were poised to post the second upset of the day on Tuesday, but two goals by No. 6 Concordia (Ore.) eliminated McKendree from the second round of the 26th annual NAIA Women's Soccer National Championship, 2-1 in overtime. The Bearcats end their season with an overall record of 17-3-2.
After a scoreless first half, senior forward Sarah Ryan (Rochester, Ill./Rochester) (Rochester, Ill./Rochester) gave McKendree a 1-0 lead on a goal from the right side to the far left post in the 80th minute. The Cavaliers tied the game in the 88th minute on a goal by Kaitlyn Tebbs and eventually sent the game to overtime.
Shortly into the overtime period Jessica Ramback ended the game with a goal in the 96th minute on a goal to the far left post to end the game with a 2-1 score.
Junior goalkeeper Liz Yanko (St. Louis, Mo./Rosati-Kain) (St. Louis, Mo./Rosati-Kain) had eleven saves in the loss for McKendree.
“We played our hearts out today,” said McKendree head coach Tim Strange. “We told the player's to leave everything they had on the field today and they did that. I think we opened a lot of eyes today with the way we played.”
Sarah Ryan (Rochester, Ill./Rochester)'s goal was her 11th goal of the season and 46th of her career at McKendree. The goal gave her 117 career points, which makes her the new career leader in total points at McKendree.
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