MANKATO, Minn. - No. 21 Missouri Western Soccer's historic season ended with a gut-wrenching loss in the second round of the NCAA Tournament against No. 7 Minnesota State (16-1-6) on Sunday at The Pitch. The Griffons finished the 2024 season with a record of 16-3-3, marking the most successful season in the program's 20-year history.
 
Stay tuned for the post-match interview with head coach Jacob Plocher and juniors Annie McDevitt and Brookelyn Buttolph, which will be available on the Minnesota State Athletics YouTube page.
 
The first half of the match was a defensive battle between the Griffons and the Mavericks, with neither team able to find the back of the net in the opening 45 minutes. MWSU ended the half with three shots, two of which were on goal, while MSU had five shots, also with two on target. Keeley Kroonenberg, Rachyl Benavides and Camrin Peaslee accounted for the three shots by the Griffons in the period. Benavides would go on to finish the match with a team-leading three shots. 
 
After the halftime break, Minnesota State found its offensive rhythm, taking 13 shots, six of which were on target. They secured the game-winning goal in the 67th minute with a successful penalty kick by Maille Mathis. The Griffons had one last opportunity in the final minute when Benavides took their final shot, but it was collected in the bottom right corner of the goal.
 
Minnesota State will advance to the round of 16, where they will face the winner of Central Missouri or Central Oklahoma next week.
 
Kroonenberg (14-3-3) made her 50th and final start in goal for the Griffons. The senior from Highlands Ranch, Colorado, faced 18 shots and recorded seven saves. This season, she became the first goalkeeper in Missouri Western history to be named MIAA Goalkeeper of the Year and to achieve a victory in the NCAA Tournament.
 
McDevitt, Nicoletta Froehlich, Lauren Nylund and Buttolph each played the full 90 minutes for the Griffons. Forward Aidyn Woodall was just shy of a complete game, finishing with 89 minutes. Notably, senior defender Katelynn Rowland, who had sustained an injury in a previous game against the Golden Bears, managed to play for 47 minutes in the midfield.
 
MWSU will bid farewell to seniors Sophie Wellinghoff, Keeley Kroonenberg, Katelynn Rowland, Lauren Nylund, Elisabeth Pujado, and Madeline Pearl. This group has played a crucial role in setting a new standard for what the Griffons can achieve in the years to come. They have helped the program achieve its most successful season, including the longest winning streak and the longest shutout streak in the program history, as well as securing its first NCAA Tournament victory against Concordia-St. Paul last Friday.
 
To keep up with Missouri Western Soccer, visit https://gogriffons.com/sports/womens-soccer or follow the Griffons on Facebook, Instagram, and X @GriffonSoccer.