Box Score (html)
MANKATO, Minn. – SWOSU Soccer used a goal in the 66th minute from the foot of the nation's leading scorer
Alimata Rabo to move past No. 3 seed Missouri Western 1-0 in the opening round of the NCAA Central Region Tournament.
Based on the flow of the game it wasn't a matter of if the Bulldogs were going to score, but when it was going to happen. SWOSU controlled the ball for much of the contest, outshooting the Griffons 16-11 overall and 8-1 on goal. Many of the MWSU shots also came in desperation at the end of both halves and were inflated on the final stat line.
When Missouri Western did have chances on offense, the SWOSU defense stepped up and cleared any scoring threats the Griffons conjured. Bulldog goalkeeper
Lexie Bates ended with one save to her credit, but was still busy all afternoon to ensure the clean sheet.
Rabo took six shots on the afternoon, putting one past MWSU keeper Sarah Lyle and forcing her to make three other saves.
Sandra Nabweteme added four shots and forced Lyle into making two saves on her shots and both
Lauren Williams and
Memory Phiri also took one shot that required work from Lyle.
After a scoreless first half and no scoring in the first 20 minutes of the second half, Rabo notched the game winner in the 66th minute. She and Griffon keeper Sarah Lyle sprinted after a 50-50 ball at the top of the box which Rabo managed to kick and deflect off of Lyle. Rabo got to the ball while Lyle and the rest of the Missouri Western defense tried to recover, but dribbled further into the box and fired a bending ball that curled into the back of the net. The score was Rabo's 28th goal of the season.
From that point, the defense did its job and continued to blank MWSU for the remainder of the match.
With the win, SWOSU is now a perfect 2-0 in NCAA Tournament Opening Round matchups – both of which in shutout fashion. The Dawgs were victorious back in 2012 with a 3-0 defeat of Minot State in their first ever NCAA Postseason appearance and now add a 1-0 win to their opening round resume.
The Dawgs will now advance to Sunday's second round against host and No. 2 seed Minnesota State. Kickoff for that match is slated for 1 pm from Mankato, Minnesota.
