KISSIMMEE, Fla. – The Mid-America Christian University women's soccer team knew entering play on Wednesday at the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) Division I National Championship that they needed to win and get help to advance. They also knew they were facing a tall task with the top-seeded Indiana Wesleyan University Wildcats on the schedule.
IWU (14-3-3) came out and put MACU (12-9) on their heels from the start, scoring in the 20th minute, and three times in the second half to take the 4-0 win from the Lady Evangels and end MACU's season.
The Wildcats got on the board first in the 21st minute when Amy Jaron finished a pass from Madison Miller to put the Wildcats up 1-0. IWU outshot MACU 8-1 In the opening frame, but the Lady Evangels were able to keep the margin at 1-0 entering the intermission. Olivia Schmidt tallied the Wildcats' second goal of the match in the 54th minute, and that opened the floodgates. Tia Sanford (59'), Jaron (62'), and Schay Mulherin (74') all scored late goals for IWU, as MACU's season came to an end.
Jannifer Starwalt (9-8) made three saves in the contest for MACU, and Alex Seabeck (14-3-1) stopped three shots in her 10th shutout of the season.
The loss ends the season for MACU, along with the collegiate career of their lone senior, Amaris Smitherman.
