Sat. Nov. 3, 2007

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. --  The USF Women's Soccer team fell to Cornerstone University 1-0 on a goal in the second overtime in the NAIA Regional Final today. 

Both teams played well in the first half and neither team seemed nervous under the weight of the game.  USF nearly took the lead in the 25th minute when senior Laura Leffers just missed wide on a shot just outside the 18 yard box.  Moments later, Senior Stacey Rider made one of her 4 first half saves on a low  driven ball by Cornerstones Jessica Brussee.  The second half was more of the same as both teams seemed  to control the ball well.  The Cougars looked to have finally broken though when Leffers hit the cross bar on a header from a corner kick.  Minutes later, junior Mary Whisler rocketed a shot that just missed wide. 

With regulation ending in a 0-0 draw, the two teams fought through the 1st ten minute period.  Freshman Katie Freygang drove the apparent game winner into the upper 90 that sent the crowd and the USF bench into a celebration.  Unfortunately, the ball had just gone wide into the side netting.  The second overtime had a similar reaction as sophomore Sara Thieme put a ball over the keeper but just over the crossbar.  That would be foreshadowing as Cornerstone's Jessica Brussee took a ball from Sara Owens in side the box and drove the game winner into the far corner. 

"I am devastated for our team.  They played so well all weekend and have come so far as a team.  I hate to see it end, especially for our seniors.  They have done so much for me and the program that can never be measured.  It's going to take some time for us to recover from this but we will b e back"  Coach Nuber commented.                            

Saint Francis      0     0     0     0     0

Cornerstone       0     0     0     1     1
CU:  Brussie 107th minute

SF:  Stacey Rider 9 saves
CU:  Bruining 7 saves
         

        -- GO USF --