ST. JOSEPH – Sydney Cluck exercised Missouri Western soccer’s postseason demons when she poked in the game-winning goal in the 85th minute Wednesday night against Central Oklahoma to give the Griffons a 2-1 win in the first round of the MIAA Tournament.

MWSU improves to 16-3 and its their first postseason victory in school history. After three straight years of heartbreaking losses in the opening round of the conference tournament, the Griffons advanced the semifinals in dramatic fashion.

Cassidy Menke’s 15th goal of the season in the 10th minute looked like it might spark a runaway victory for Missouri Western. After 62 minutes of scoreless soccer, Central Oklahoma’s Asha Haile scored the equalizer from the right side of the box. A little more than 13 minutes later, Menke touched in a pass to Cluck who squeezed between a defender and the Broncho goalkeeper for what proved to be the game-winner.

Missouri Western just out-shot the Bronchos on the night, 15-11, but had one less shot on goal (7) than UCO’s eight. Menke led the Griffons with five shots, three on goal. Sarah Lyle played the entire game with seven crucial saves. Madeline Cowell, Bridget Blessie and Cluck each had three shots for Missouri Western.

SEMIFINAL MATCH SET
After hosting a postseason game for the first time in program history, the Griffons will now make their first MIAA Championship semifinal appearance. Missouri Western, the two-seed, will play sixth-seeded Washburn, Friday night at 7 in Warrensburg, Missouri. Washburn knocked off third-seeded Northeastern State, 1-0, on the road Friday night. The Griffons shut out Washburn with one goal on Oct. 20 in Topeka, Kansas.

— MWSU Athletics —