COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - The College of Saint Rose twice fought back from one-goal deficits only to fall 3-2 in double-overtime to top-ranked Grand Valley State in today's National Championship Match at Switchbacks FC Stadium.
Sophomore forward Kennedy Bearden drove home a deflection with 20 seconds gone in the second OT from the right side that sailed into the far left corner for the game-winner that caused some confusion as it was initially ruled offsides, but then ruled a good goal.
"It was a fantastic game. There is nothing that you can say that what the girls did on the field, and how well they played, and how much they gave. I am very proud of how hard both teams played and what happened is unfortunate, but in life unfortunate things happen. I'll take nothing away from Grand Valley State, I'll take nothing away from the quality of the match, and you have to accept what you can't change. We always tell our kids that can only put your energy and effort into what you can change in life," said head coach
Laurie Darling Gutheil.
Freshman forward
Mia Klammer and senior back
Ciera Lundy scored the two goals for the Golden Knights (18-2-4) who were making their second national championship match appearance 10-years after winning it all against none other than Grand Valley State (24-1-2).
Kennedy finished with two goals and senior back Cecelia Steinwascher accounted for the other for the Lakers who captured their seventh national championship.
Grand Valley State put itself on the scoreboard early. Bearden lined a shot from the top of the area under the crossbar with a mere 4:31 elapsed to make it 1-0 Grand Valley State, which is where it stood at intermission. The Golden Knights tied it up after Klammer knocked home a loose ball off a corner kick delivered by sophomore midfielder
Lauren Amerena at the 61:45 mark.
Senior back Cecelia Steinwascher then lobbed a volley off a punch out by fifth-year All-American kepper
Marika Laurendeau from the left side of the area that sailed into the far right corner with 72:25 gone by to put the Lakers back ahead.
However, Saint Rose showed its grit as Lundy headed home a corner from Amerena less than four minutes later that leveled it again, this time 2-2.
Neither team was able to generate a shot during the opening overtime session before the Lakers struck at the outset of the second overtime period.
All-Tournament Team
Most Outstanding Offensive Player: Kennedy Bearden, Grand Valley State
Most Outstanding Defensive Player: Abby Willerer, Grand Valley State
Forward: Allie Ziegler – Lenoir-Rhyne University
Midfield: Neve Duston – Lenoir-Rhyne University
Midfield: Ashley Merrill – Dallas Baptist University
Defense: Blythe Obar – Dallas Baptist University
Goalkeeper:
Marika Laurendeau – The College of Saint Rose
Forward:
Mia Klammer – The College of Saint Rose
Defense:
Sanna Rein – The College of Saint Rose
Midfield: Cecilia Steinwascher – Grand Valley State
Defense: Abby Willerer – Grand Valley State
Forward: Kennedy Bearden – Grand Valley State
Forward: Caitie Baron – Grand Valley State
Golden Knights in the NCAA Tournament: This year marked the 16th time in 19 years (excluding 2020) that the Golden Knights earned the opportunity to contend for the NCAA Division II National Championship…Saint Rose is now 31-13-6 all-time in NCAA Tournament contests…The Golden Knights have made eight semifinal appearances (2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2019, and 2021) within the past 14 years and made their second national championship final showing on Saturday…Saint Rose of course captured the 2011 National Championship.
Resiliency: It is an apt descriptor for the 2021 Golden Knights, especially during their NCAA run. Saint Rose went 4-1-4 in overtime this season, advanced on penalty kicks in its second round matchup with Jefferson (11/21/21), and twice fought off one-goal deficits - in both its national quarterfinal 3-2 (OT) win versus Concord (12/4/21) and today's setback to GVSU. The Golden Knights also reeled off four consecutive shutouts after suffering their first loss of the season to Southern Connecticut State (10/30/21). In addition, they did not surrender a goal in their three NE10 Tournament matches on the way to capturing their league record ninth title.
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