The Emporia State Soccer team outshot Bemidji State 17-5 in the match on the way to a 2-1 victory in the second round of the NCAA Tournament at a soggy ESU Pitch on Sunday afternoon. The Beavers tallied first just over 16 minutes into the match, but Hannah Woolery answered on a long shot with just over 15 minutes to go in the half on an assist by Angela Palmer. The Lady Hornets controlled the play in the first half outshooting BSU 14-4 at the break. As the rain and wind picked up in the second half, the defenses controlled the match with only four total shots being fired in the second period, but MIAA goals and scoring record holder Mackenzie Dimarco found the back of the net with just under 15 minutes to play on a Paige Putter assist to give ESU the lead. The win for the Lady Hornets avenged back-to-back NCAA Tournament losses to BSU in each of the last two postseasons. Head coach Bryan Sailer said good defensive play allowed ESU to keep the Beavers on defense for much of the game.
Graduate defender Joanie Westcoat said the feeling of eliminating the team that had sent them home the past two seasons was everything she imagined it could be.
Emporia State improved to 14-5-4 on the season and extended their program record winning streak to 10 while finishing the year 3-1 on the ESU Pitch and 7-3 in Emporia. The Lady Hornets advance to the Central Region Championship for the second straight year where they will face #7 Washburn. E-State went 2-1 in the Turnpike Tussle this year with all three matches being decided by one goal, most recently beating Washburn in the semifinals of the MIAA Tournament. The match will be played Friday, December 1 in Ashland, Ohio. Kickoff is set for 2:00 p.m.
