Tigers magical run ends with NAIA loss to Graceland

MITCHELL, S.D. – The previously unbeaten Dakota Wesleyan University women’s soccer team finally met its match Saturday when it lost its opening round game at the NAIA Women’s Soccer National Championships. The Tigers lost a 4-1 game to Graceland University in Lamoni, Iowa, to end an incredible season.

DWU, which won just two games two seasons ago and was 8-9-1 last year, ended its 2009 season with a remarkable 17-1-4 record. The Tigers won more games in 2009 than they did in the program’s previous four years of existence combined, and DWU added its first-ever Great Plains Athletic Conference regular season and Postseason Tournament championships. This was the Tigers’ first trip to the NAIA National Tournament, and a fitting reward to cap off a truly remarkable season.

Sarah Duff

Drew Miller

Graceland, which entered the game with only a single loss to top-ranked Linsdey Wilson on its profile, took charge with two first-half goals for a 2-0 lead at halftime. The Yellow Jackets scored again after halftime and then answered DWU’s lone goal for the 4-1 final score. Graceland will advance to the NAIA Sweet 16, which will be held in Decatur, Ala., beginning Nov. 30.

Ayaka Sawa got the Jackets on the board with a goal at 21:41 and Ryanne Miller increased the lead with another first-half goal at 37:28. Dakota Wesleyan’s Drew Miller scored DWU’s goal off a corner kick by Sarah Duff at 57:41, but her score was bookended by two goals from Graceland star Chelsea Phillips, who scored at 57:36 and 64:34.

The Jackets held just a 16-12 lead in shots, but a 10-3 lead in shots on goal. Tiger goalie Dani Richardson made six saves, but allowed more than one goal for just the second time all season. Leslie Danner made two saves and allowed one goal for Graceland before giving way to Danielle Butler for the final 4:51. DWU committed more fouls, 13-7, and the Jackets had more corner kicks, 6-5.

Duff led DWU with four shots, two shots on goal and an assist. Miller scored her goal on her only shot, and Kayla Pahl added two shots. Graceland did a good job on the Tigers’ leading scorers, limiting Kasha Roberts, Kim Duff and Ellie Peterson to just one shot apiece.

Though DWU’s magical season had to come to an end in a losing effort, the Tiger players and coaches will never forget their incredible turnaround in 2009. DWU also has plenty to look forward to, as Sarah Duff is the only senior starter in the Tigers’ lineup.

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		NAIA Women’s Soccer National Championship home page
		NAIA Women’s Soccer National Championship Pairings
		NAIA Opening Round Scoreboard
		Opening round opponent - Graceland University
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		Tigers try to wrap up unbeaten regular season Saturday
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		GPAC Women’s Soccer Home Page
		GPAC Women’s Soccer Tournament Release
		DWU picked as NAIA ‘Game of the Week’
		2009 NAIA Women’s Soccer National Tournament site