FROSTBURG, Md. — The 24th-ranked Fairmont State women's soccer team (16-2-3, 12-1-3) lost to Frostburg State (16-2-3, 13-1-2) 4-1 on Sunday at Bobcat Stadium in the MEC Championship. The Falcons finished even with the Bobcats in total shots, 15-15, but the Bobcats held a 9-5 advantage in shots on goal.
Olivia Johnston made an early save for the Falcons before
Arrington Sparks opened the scoring at 10:36, giving the visitors a 1-0 lead. The Falcons continued to press with corner kicks at 11:52 and 16:57, followed by shots from
Emelly Chicas and
Sam Yuen.
The Bobcats answered when Cassidy Paige scored at 20:54 to tie it at 1-1, then moved ahead on Kelly Dougherty's goal at 28:10. The Falcons faced more pressure late in the half, including a Johnston save at 42:15, after Mia Hudson's 38:58 goal sent the Bobcats into halftime ahead 3-1.
Fairmont State opened the half with five shots from 48:11 to 57:01, including saved attempts by
Dayra Dinarte and
Braylyn Sparks and additional looks from
Valentina Gianinetto, Yuen and
Arrington Sparks. Johnston made saves on Mollie Rebuck and Kelly Dougherty before the goal, and the middle of the half included four fouls between 57:53 and 66:22.
After the Bobcats moved ahead 4-1 at 76:00, the Falcons continued to press with a corner at 80:53 and shots from
Payton Parliament,
Arrington Sparks,
Agnes Bjork and
Dahlia Welter, but Mia Graff saved Bjork's attempt as the Falcons finished the half scoreless.
Arrington Sparks scored an unassisted goal and led the Falcons with four shots, putting one on goal. Johnston made five saves while playing all 90 minutes in goal.
Fairmont State now awaits the NCAA selection show for the Division II Championship on Monday, November 9. The show starts at 7:00 p.m. and can be watched on
NCAA.com.
