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Loras College women’s soccer ends historic season with loss in NCAA Division III Women’s Soccer Tournament semifinal
The Loras College women’s soccer team after their 1-0 loss to Christopher Newport University in the NCAA Division III Women’s Soccer Tournament on Dec. 3. (Courtesy: @LorasWSoccer/Twitter)

Loras College women’s soccer ends historic season with loss in NCAA Division III Women’s Soccer Tournament semifinal

GREENSBORO, N.C. (BVM)The Loras College women’s soccer team ended its historic season on Dec. 3 in a close match against Christopher Newport University. 

The Duhawks kept the match close, as it was tied at zero at the end of regulation when the Captains scored in the third minute of the first overtime to punch a ticket to the NCAA Division III Women’s Soccer Tournament final. 

However, the Duhawks have a lot to be proud of, regardless of the semifinal loss. It was the team’s first Final Four appearance in program history. 

Loras finished its season with a 21-1-2 record, finishing 8-0 in conference play. Highlights of the season include tying No. 4 Washington University in St. Louis, 0-0, in double overtime and beating No. 16 Wartburg College, 2-1. 

In postseason play, the Duhawks received a first-round bye in the American Rivers Conference (ARC) Championship Tournament. They powered on to defeat No. 4 Luther College in the semifinals, 1-0, in double overtime. They beat Wartburg College once again, then ranked No. 2 at the time, 4-1, to win their 16th ARC Title and punch their ticket to the NCAA Tournament. 

The Duhawks acted as host throughout most of the tournament until the semifinal match in Greensboro, North Carolina. They beat Fontbonne University, 1-0, on Nov. 12 to play the next day against Calvin University, who they beat, 3-0, to reach the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2012. 

Hosting once again, Loras played No. 13 Centre College on Nov. 20, winning 2-0, reaching the Elite Eight for the first time in program history. They were set to play the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse the very next day. The Duhawks defeated the Eagles in a thrilling match in penalty kicks, 4-3 — after tying 2-2 in regulation — to punch their ticket to the semifinals in Greensboro, North Carolina. It would be Loras’ first appearance in the Final Four. 

The Duhawks faced off against No. 5 Christopher Newport University on Dec. 5, losing 1-0 in overtime to end its phenomenal season. 

In addition to reaching the Final Four for the first time in program history, the Duhawks were once again ARC regular season champions and ARC Tournament champions. 

Leading the way was junior midfielder Payton McDonnell, who was named a United Soccer Coaches All-American. She is just the fifth All-American in program history and the first since 2017. McDonnell also posted an NCAA DIII-leading 24 assists this season, shattering a previous record that was set in 2002. 

Four Duhawks also received All-Region honors by United Soccer Coaches. Brynn Jacobi, Abby Eriksen, Olivia Lansing and McDonnell received the honors. Jacobi, a fifth-year senior, earned her second All-Region honor, with 10 goals and six assists on the year. Eriksen, a junior forward, earned her first All-Region honor with a team-leading 11 goals on the season. Lansing, a junior defender, earned her first All-Region honor after only conceding 10 goals on the season, with a 0.43 average for goals allowed per game. 

The Duhawks finished the fall 2021 season ranked No. 9 in the nation.