FULTON, Mo. – Missouri Baptist Women's Soccer (9-5) came from behind to defeat William Woods (9-3) 3-2 in Monday night's American Midwest Conference Semifinal. For the second straight year, the Spartans ended the Owls' season and will now meet No. 1 seed Columbia in the Championship game.
 
Monday's high-scoring affair began in the 16^th minute with a goal from MBU forward Mara George. From just short of midfield, Alayna Buxton attempted to play a through-ball to Madi Dunahue who was looking for a breakaway. WWU goalkeeper Cevana Borgstedt came out to the top of her penalty area and got to the ball first. Borgstedt's clearance attempt was blocked by George and the freshman looked up to see an open goal. With the Owls' keeper way off her line, George was able to loft a shot into the gaping net for her fourth goal of the season.
 
William Woods responded to tie the game in the 34^th minute on a goal from Sydney Balducci. The match would stay that way going into halftime. The Owls had the better of the play for much of the opening frame but MBU goalkeeper Hanna Harrison stood tall, making eight first half saves.
 
Five minutes into the second half, WWU would take its first lead. An MBU turnover in their own half led to a chance for the Owls' Cindy Gonzalez. Gonzalez's shot from the top of the penalty area snuck by Harrison for her ninth goal of the season.
 
The Spartans were down but with nearly 40 minutes left, they were far from out. It was Mara George who came up big again in the 61^st minute. Madi Dunahue tried at long cross into the penalty area and Borgstedt could only parry it away. The rebound fell directly to George and again, with the goal keeper out of position, the freshman took one touch and fired home. Her second of the night tied the game and set up a tense final half hour.
 
After five scoring chances came and went for William Woods (with three shots stopped by Harrison), the Spartans eventually had their opportunity. In the 84^th minute, Dunahue's corner kick resulted in a chaotic scramble in the six-yard box. Freshman defender Jamie Theusch was in the perfect spot to stick a foot out and poke home her first career goal. The Spartans had the lead back at 3-2 with just minutes remaining.
 
The Owls didn't manage a shot attempt in the final seven minutes and MBU escaped to advance to the Championship game. Hanna Harrison finished with a career-high 13 saves to earn the victory in goal.
 
The Spartans will now prepare for Thursday's AMC Championship against No. 16 Columbia (14-2, 9-0 AMC). It will be another rematch of last season's tournament, which the Cougars won by a score of 2-0.