Mrizek's Late Goal Not Enough as Women's Soccer Falls Just Shy in MEC Championship

CHARLESTON, W. Va. – For the third season in a row, the Frostburg State Women's Soccer team fell just short in pursuit of an MEC Tournament title, falling 2-1 on the road to Charleston (WV) on Sunday afternoon.
 
Within the first minute of the game, senior Toni Fiocco-Mizer nearly gave FSU the lead, as she fired off a left-footed strike from inside the box, but UC keeper Jordan Maynard made a fine reaction save to keep it out. Senior Ashley Bilger made her first save of the day three minutes later, with a shot from the left wing falling into her grasp.
 
The Bobcats began to ramp up the pressure around the 10-minute mark, as Fiocco-Mizer and senior Hannah Thompson both fired wide, then the latter and junior Mei Homman tried their luck from distance, seeing each of their efforts right at Maynard. The Golden Eagles had the next two attempts, but the first was charged down and the second went wide of the mark.
 
Junior Cat Smith nearly pulled off a stunner, striking from long outside the box and seeing the ball cannon off the top of the crossbar and out for a goal kick. With 15 minutes until halftime, sophomore Morgan Mrizek poked a shot towards goal following a throw-in, as her effort deflected off a Charleston defender, forcing another great stop by Maynard. Junior Keely Knotts was almost gifted a goal a minute later, as a poor back-pass gave her a chance to run onto the ball, but she could only put the shot high under pressure.
 
After the ball bounced around in the box following a long free kick, senior Dez Mortimer volleyed towards goal but was blocked, then Thompson had an effort that Maynard clawed away from danger. In the final five minutes, Bilger made another grab on a UC shot from wide, then junior Mackenzie Alonso and sophomore Carly Gillette fired over the bar, ending the half in a scoreless 0-0 draw.
 
FSU earned an early corner to begin the second 45, with the Golden Eagles able to clear their lines. Five minutes later, Charleston found the opener, keeping the ball well inside the Frostburg half, eventually working the ball wide to Lina Jaime, who crossed onto Juliette Lucas' head and past Bilger for a 1-0 lead.
 
Neither Gillette or Fiocco-Mizer could find the target in search of a quick equalizer, then Knotts had back-to-back shots saved by Maynard. Pressing into UC's half, Clark had an effort block, then Gillette forced Maynard into yet another save, as the clock ticked into the final 20 minutes. Bilger made a clean catch on a shot from wide, then made a flying save on a hit from distance.
 
On the resulting corner, Rachel Osborne headed home, leaping in front of Bilger to plant the ball in the back of the net, with the Golden Eagles getting the insurance goal they desired. Fiocco-Mizer tried to pull one back for Frostburg within the next minute but was thwarted by Maynard. In the final 10 minutes, Smith put a shot high following a corner, then the Bobcats were awarded a free kick with three minutes to go. Junior Carolyn DeSena had back-to-back shots blocked, then on the latter, Knotts was able to cross into the box, where Mrizek was able to cushion a left-footed shot into the bottom corner to give FSU a lifeline.
 
Despite some Frostburg pressure, Charleston was able to run the clock down to win the Championship title 2-1. FSU out-shot UC 23-8, including an 11-6 advantage in shots on goal. Both Bilger and Homman were named to the All-Tournament team for their efforts throughout the Bobcats' run to the championship game.
 
With the loss, Frostburg falls to 17-2-2, while Charleston improves to 18-0-3. The Golden Eagles have earned automatic qualification to the NCAA Tournament as the conference champion, while FSU will have to wait to see if their name is called during the NCAA Selection Show on Monday, November 13 at 6:30 p.m. Information and updates will be posted on frostbursports.com.