HATTIESBURG, Miss. – Making its second NAIA National Championship Opening Round appearance in program history, the Missouri Baptist University women's soccer program hung with No. 2 William Carey University for 55 minutes, but couldn't pull off the upset. The Lady Crusaders used a second-half surge to claim a 6-2 victory and end the Spartans' magical season and postseason run.
 
While the Spartans were able to push the ball up field on a few occasions, there were no real scoring opportunities. On the other half of the field, the No. 2 overall seed had the MBU backline on its toes for a large part of the first half. In the first 20 minutes alone, the Lady Crusaders amassed five corner kicks and six shots.
 
In the 25^th minute, a questionable foul was called inside the box as MBU goalkeeper Jemica Artillaga and William Carey's Ana Paula Santos both went for the ball at the same time and the head official gave the benefit of the doubt to Santos along with a penalty kick. The Lady Crusader midfielder went low and to the right and scored her 19^th goal of the season.
 
The Spartans held their own the rest of the half and trailed the nation's No. 2 team by just one at halftime.
 
William Carey added to its lead in the 56^th minute on a Jamie Holifield goal assisted by Silvia Leonessi. Immediately following WCU's second goal, the Spartans were looking for an answer and nearly found it. Sharpshooter Casey Gutting delivered a bullet on goal, the first of the day for MBU, however, Lady Crusader keeper Abby Baravik got her hands on it and deflected it over the crossbar and out of play.
 
Averaging 4.16 goals per game entering the NAIA Opening Round matchup, No. 2 seed William Carey finally found its rhythm in the second half. The Lady Crusaders displayed their offensive prowess and erupted for three goals in a 10-minute stretch to extend their lead to 5-0.
 
After another William Carey score with Brooklyn Hamman in net to make it 6-0, the Spartans spoiled the shutout as freshman forward Alexis Ramey found the back of the net with 18:54 remaining.
 
The Spartans weren't going down without a fight. Ramey, who scored MBU's first goal, delivered a perfect cross into the box for Casey Gutting and the junior punched it in for her 10^th goal of the year.
 
This marks the end of the road for the women's soccer team, which won the American Midwest Conference (AMC) regular season championship (10-0-2) and finished the year with an overall record of 10-6-3.