MITCHELL, S.D. – The Dakota Wesleyan University women's soccer team was held scoreless in its regular-season finale by a score of 2-0 versus GPAC foe Briar Cliff University on Saturday afternoon from the Pepsi-Cola Soccer Complex.
To open the match, both teams traded possessions as neither team found its rhythm on the offensive attack. The Tigers (9-5, 7-5 GPAC) had their first look on goal in the 23rd minute when Courtney Mascarenas (Pueblo, Colo.) guided a shot at net that was saved.
The remainder of the half saw neither team find the back of the net as the match was scoreless heading into the intermission with the Chargers (8-0-2, 8-0-1 GPAC) outshooting Dakota Wesleyan 4-1. Alissa Betz (Bismarck, N.D.), along with the Tiger defense, helped keep the match unbothered tallying two saves at the goalie position.
Similar to the first 45 minutes, the second half started as a defensive battle. Betz snagged back-to-back saves in the 48th and 52nd minute to preserve the tie.
The Tiger offense slowly awakened thanks to a shot attempt by Josephine Bardsley (Tea, S.D.) in the 58th minute, however, it was Briar Cliff who found the back of the net in the 67th minute. DWU nearly responded seconds later in the 68th minute with a shot attempt by Kassidy Johnson (Hartford, S.D.), though the shot hit the crossbar.
Needing just one goal to even the match, the Charger's lead was further extended in the 79th minute giving Briar Cliff a two-score margin. In spite of multiple attempts on goal late in the match, Dakota Wesleyan was held scoreless falling 2-0 in the regular-season finale. The Blue and Gray finished with six shots while Betz and the defense came away with nine saves.
Saturday's match culminated the 2020 campaign for the Blue and Gray. Later times, dates and opponents will be announced as the conference postseason tournament will be held this spring.
