COLUMBIA, Ky. – For the first time since the 2001 season, Lindsey Wilson College has been stopped from winning the Mid-South Conference Women’s Soccer Tournament title as Cumberland (Tenn.) scored a goal in each half to win 2-1 on Thursday at Walter S. Reuling Stadium.
The Bulldogs pick up the championship in their first season as full-time members of the MSC. They become just the third team to win the tournament in conference history as Union (Ky.) was previously the only other winner in 2001 and three times in the late 90’s.
Lindsey Wilson struck first on Thursday night in the 27th minute as Laerke Lillelund Michaelsen crossed a ball into the middle of the box that Mia Persson finished into the back of the net. About six minutes later the Bulldogs answered with Kelsey Langille beating a host of defenders to take a 1-1 tie into halftime.
Despite a 9-3 shot advantage in the second half, the Blue Raiders couldn’t find the back of the net. Cumberland didn’ have the same problem as Shauna Gilpin looped a goal over the head of Lindsey Wilson keeper Josephine Frigge in the 61st minute.
The goal that would ultimately be the game winner was hit as high as possible without hitting the crossbar. Rhianne Parsons delivered the game-winning assists, playing the ball to Gilpin at the top of the box from near midfield.
Lindsey Wilson led the game in shots 19-8, including an 11-4 lead in shots on goal. Bulldog keeper Lindsay Kitson finished with 10 saves, including a huge stop of Elizabet Madjarac’s potential tying goal from six yards out late in the second half. Frigge collected two saves for the Blue Raiders.
According to the latest rankings, the Blue Raiders are in good position for a high seed in the 2012 NAIA National Championship. The bracket is scheduled to be announced on Sunday by administrators from the national office.
