ST. LOUIS — With just under two minutes of the American Midwest Conference Women's  Soccer semifinal match against William Woods University, sophomore Gabbie Wood drilled the ball into the back of the Owls' goal, making the score 1-0 and sending Missouri Baptist University to the AMC championship game. 

Last night (Nov. 11), the Spartans worked together like a well-oiled machine. They looked well-prepared, aggressive, fast, and confident. MBU also did not hesitate to press WWU hard on the transition. 

The goalkeepers from MBU and WWU displayed excellent performances, leaving both teams scoreless for a majority of the match. 

First-Team All Conference goalkeeper Gabby Mattli recorded five huge saves throughout the game. Senior defender Ellie Mollish and First-Team All Conference defender Madilynn Lombardo stood out as key players as well, making impressive blocks and stops in the moments that mattered most. 

Second-Team All Conference defenders Piper Brown and Kacey Watson greatly contributed to the Spartans' transition game. Brown even helped assist MBU's lone goal. 

In the midfield, Second-Team All Conference recipient Emma Selsor, senior Leah Maxvill, and junior Natalie Gum were all over the ball any second it came near them. 

After almost 90 minutes of play, the Spartans' hard work paid off in the best way possible. Second-Team All Conference forward Wood saw her opportunity and ripped the ball into the goal off an assist from Piper and Gum. 

The cheers from the team alone echoed throughout the stadium, and Spartan fans were thrilled to see Women's Soccer win the opportunity to play in the championship game of the AMC tournament. 

MBU will face their conference rivals, Columbia College, in the championship match on Thursday (Nov. 14), hosted at Columbia. 

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