ST. LOUIS—MBU Women's Soccer (8-5) fell behind early but rallied back to defeat Central Baptist (5-9) 2-1 in the AMC Quarterfinals on Friday night at Spartan Field. The season now continues with the semifinals against William Woods on Monday.
The Spartans controlled the play from the opening kickoff but couldn't solve Mustang goalkeeper Jayme Selph early on.
Mara George was sent in on a breakaway by
Madi Dunahue in the seventh minute but Selph came out to close her down and make the save.
Despite the home side controlling the play, it was CBC who scored the opening goal out of nowhere in the 10
th minute. Ciara Bonner won a race to a loose ball and let a one-time shot go from about 20 yards out. It beat goalkeeper
Hanna Harrison to the far post to give the visitors a 1-0 lead.
There was no panic from the Spartan sideline however and in the 22
nd minute the patience and persistence paid off.
Madison Dodd attempted a cross and
Maddie Mrazik ran it down at the top of the penalty area. The sophomore took one touch and fired a perfectly placed shot just under the crossbar, leaving Selph no chance. Mrazik's sixth of the season tied the game at one.
The Spartans continued to put pressure on the Mustang end of the field and nearly took their first lead just minutes into the second half. In the 51
st minute, a cross by
Mara George fell at the feet of
Hannah Leahy just outside the six-yard box. Leahy's shot caromed off the underside of the crossbar and out though and the match remained tied.
After several more chances came and went, the Spartans continued to search for the potential game-winner. It finally arrived in the 86
th minute. It was Mrazik again who stepped forward to be the hero. The former Fort Zumwalt East standout hit the top corner at the far post from
her own corner kick. One of the rarest types of goals in soccer gave MBU a 2-1 lead with just minutes remaining.
The Spartans would hold on to advance to Monday's AMC Semifinals. The final shot count was a lopsided 11-4 in favor of Mo. Bap.
Hanna Harrison made three saves while Jayme Selph stopped nine for CBC.
Earlier on Friday, the 2-seed William Woods defeated the 7-seed Health Sciences & Pharmacy to set up a rematch of last season's semifinals. On that day, it was the Spartans who went to Fulton and knocked off the Owls' 3-0 in a snowy blizzard. Slightly warmer temperatures are expected this time. Start time is still to be determined. The winner advances to the AMC Championship game on April 8.
