The Emporia State soccer team connected on two long plays that were put into the back of the net by fifth-year forward Mackenzie Dimarco on the way to a 2-1 victory over Fort Hays State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Friday afternoon at the ESU Pitch. Emporia State’s first goal started on an Abby Bachman throw in just in front of the corner mark. Two touches later, Dimarco found the back of the net for a 1-0 lead on a Hannah Woolery assist. The Lady Hornets connected again with Dimarco with just over six minutes to play on a feed by Kyleigh Roe. The Tigers scored on a wild collision play with just over a minute to play but couldn’t generate a good chance in the final seconds as E-State held on for the win. Sophomore goalkeeper Mackenzi Goen was electric in net for the Lady Hornets with 10 saves in the match. Head coach Bryan Sailer said not every win is going to look good in the postseason.
Goen said despite her effort, she felt like she was just doing her job.
Emporia State extends their program record winning streak to nine games and improves to 13-5-4 on the season. The Lady Hornets will face Bemidji State in the second round on Sunday. The Beavers advanced with a 1-0 victory over St. Cloud State Friday. Bemidji State eliminated ESU last season on penalty kicks on a snowy night in Minnesota in the Sweet 16. Kickoff in the second round is set for 1:00 p.m. on Sunday and can be seen on The MIAA Network.
