MANKATO, Minn. - Concordia-St. Paul soccer (7-7-5, 7-4-4 NSIC) season came to an end in the first round of the NSIC Tournament, as they fell 4-1 to the #13 Minnesota State Mavericks (14-1-4, 11-0-4 NSIC) on Monday afternoon at the Maverick Sports Complex-The Pitch.
 
"I think today's score line isn't as flattering as we would like, obviously," Head Coach Steve Bellis stated after the match. "We came across a strong Minnesota State team that will go deep into the NCAA tournament, I don't doubt".
 
"We came out and did some decent stuff, created 15 or 16 shots and nine corners," Bellis added. "Mankato was very clinical today and took the few chances they had, unfortunately, we didn't quite do the same."
 
"The season has been enjoyable. I think we had a few hiccups along the way, but for the most part, the program is doing well, and we are going in a positive direction." Bellis added.
 
"The freshman group that we've got will be strong, so yeah, I look forward to getting better over the next few months and obviously looking to play in the spring to see where we are at," Bellis concluded.
 
CSP started strong in the first 15 minutes of play by creating several opportunities with shots from Katie Anderson, who led the team with four shots in the game, and Brittany Bordson.
 
The Mavericks would net their first goal of the match in the 18th minute to give them the early advantage.
 
Ashlyn Waldon kept the Mavericks from doubling their lead with an impressive diving save in the 28th minute. The sophomore (graduating) collected six saves in her final outing for the Golden Bears at goalie.
 
Minnesota State would take control for the remainder of the first half by outshooting the Golden Bears 3-to-0 and possessing the ball for 58 percent of the time.
 
The Golden Bears pushed hard for the equalizer to begin the second half with three shots in the first six minutes, including a headed attempt by Tori Miller off a corner kick that nearly gave them their first goal.
 
However, MSU turned the tide back in its favor with a pair of goals in the next 14 minutes to give them a three-goal advantage. The Mavericks would add their final goal of the match in the 82nd minute.
 
Sophie Pawlyshyn would nearly connect in the 74th minute with a shot dead center in the goal, but the Mavericks keeper would corral it on the ground.
 
After having her first shot on goal brought in the 83rd minute by the Mavericks keeper, Jessica Timpane would finally break through five minutes later for the Golden Bears with a shot that trickled into the goal off the first career assist from freshman Nicole Moore.
 
Nikki Anderson attempted her final career shot in the 89th minute, as her historical career as a CSP Golden Bear came to an end.