The Lady Panthers (12-4-2), who are ranked No. 25 in the latest NAIA poll, got what would prove to be the only goal of the match in the 11th minute when Sierra Patterson took a pass from Jen Burgei, beat the defense, and scored on a one-on-one opportunity with sophomore goalkeeper Jenessa Loewen.

The No. 4 seed Lady Cougars (12-7-1) did not give in and continued to battle the rest of the game to equalize. In the second half alone, MVNU held an 8-2 advantage in shots, but the Lady Cougars could just not find the back of the net.

MVNU finished the match with an 11-7 advantage in total shots, a 5-4 edge in shots on goal, and a 3-2 margin in corner kicks. Loewen finished with three saves for the Lady Cougars, while Aimee Simonet and Becky Williams each played half the match in goal and combined for five saves.

“We played really hard today and if the match was scored on possession then we probably we would have won,” said MVNU coach Jonathan Meade. “Unfortunately, we gave up the early goal and then we were unable to score the tying goal ourselves. We did not panic and stuck to the game plan, but Ohio Dominican’s defense was just up to the task.”

“I cannot fault the girls for the effort and intensity that they put in today,” Meade added. “We tried different things to score goals, but we just could not get the one in to equalize. I’m disappointed and they are all disappointed, but we felt like we really gave our all tonight and that’s all we can ask.”

The Lady Cougars will now make a decision about playing in the National Christian College Athletic Association East Region Tournament. A decision on that tournament will be announced on Monday.