ST. LOUIS – AMC Bracket After a very successful regular season in which the Missouri Baptist women's soccer team went 6-2-2 in conference play, the Spartans earned the number four seed in the AMC tournament.
The top four seeds were honored with hosting the AMC Quarterfinals, meaning the Spartans will host No. 5 Hannibal-LaGrange on Friday afternoon at 1 pm at Maryville University.
MBU and HLG recorded a 0-0 tie after two overtime periods could not find a winner. "Hannibal-LaGrange has always been a hard team for MBU to play against and I see this game being no different," said coach Merrick. "Our goal is to try and control the game and make the most of our chances. If we are able to play to our strength and limit HLG, then we will be successful."
Argell London leads the Spartans this season with seven goals, which ranks 17th in the AMC. Stephanie Hall leads Hannibal-LaGrange with seven goals, which also ranks 17th in the AMC.
MBU goalkeeper Sam Schulze ranks 3rd in the AMC with a 1.13 goals against average and 7th with 66 saves. Hannibal-LaGrange has rotated two keepers this season. Carla Tejas has made eight starts in net and has a 1.15 goals against average with 27 saves. Whitney Hatton has six starts in net and has a 2.88 goals against average with 32 saves.
Columbia College won the regular season title after a 9-1 record. MBU defeated Columbia 2-1 during the regular season. "Congrats to CC on being regular season conference champs," said Merrick. "John Klein has a very solid group on his hands. I think our team has a never say die attitude and we have the self belief that we can play with any team in the nation." The No. 1 Cougars will take on No. 8 Freed-Hardeman, who finished the season 3-5-2 in AMC play.
The winner of the Columbia/Freed-Hardeman game will take on the winner of the Missouri Baptist/Hannibal-LaGrange game on November 11.
No. 2 Park University (8-2) hosts No. 7 Benedictine-Springfield (3-5-2) at 1 pm. That winner will take on the winner of No. 3 William Woods (7-2-1) vs. No. 6 Lyon (5-5).
The American Midwest Conference tournament championship game will be play on Thursday, November 14.
In 2009, the Spartans defeated McKendree University, 3-2 in the AMC Championship game. Then, the Bearcats were a perfect 10-0 in AMC play before losing to MBU. The Spartans lost to Lindsey Wilson in the NAIA Opening Round, 2-0, and finished the season 12-8-1.
Missouri Baptist finished 3-4-1 in AMC play last season and lost to Hannibal-LaGrange in the AMC Quarterfinals 3-0 last season.
