ST. LOUIS – Two goals on each side of halftime led MBU Women's Soccer to a drama-free 4-1 win over Lyon College on Friday night. The Spartans advance to Monday's semifinal where they'll meet top-seeded Columbia.
 
It was a blitz from the opening kickoff at Spartan Field as Gianna Gore scored less than two minutes in. Jamie Theusch played the through-ball and Gore ran onto it, took a touch, and fired home to the far corner. It was Gore's eighth of the year to extend her career-high.
 
Later in the half, Madi Dunahue played a ball forward that sent Mara George in on goal. George followed Gore's lead and hit the far corner, just inside the left post. The sophomore's fourth of the season gave MBU a 2-0 halftime lead.
 
It took just over 30 minutes in the second half for the Spartans to stick the dagger in the Scots. When they eventually did – they did with a pair of highlight reel efforts. In the 77^th minute, after coming on as a sub just seconds before, Sami Mabee took a cross from Saige Stowers and ripped a shot under the crossbar. Four minutes later, it was Stowers who blasted home her second career goal for a 4-0 MBU lead. Claire Andersen contributed the assist.
 
Lyon spoiled the shutout with 12 seconds left in regulation, but it was consolation as the Spartans advanced to Monday's semifinals. The final shot count was 12-4 MBU. The Spartans launched 26 attempts toward goal.
 
A tough test awaits now on Monday as the Spartans (9-9) will travel to Columbia for a 6 pm kickoff. The 13^th ranked Cougars (15-3, 9-0 AMC) have prevailed over MBU in the last two AMC Championship games.