The MIAA Championship began Wednesday and Jennies soccer kicked off their postseason with a dominant 4-0 win over Lindenwood in the quarterfinal round at South Recreational Complex.
The Jennies win is the third over the Lions this season and came less than a week after they played a tightly contested 3-2 game Friday.
“We knew they were going to bring a lot of energy,” senior forward Jada Scott said. “It’s tournament time and the energy team’s bring is a lot different than during the regular season. A lot of it was preparing to match their energy and intensity.”
Freshman defender Molly Voigt was one of nine substitutions utilized by the Jennies in the 4-0 win over Lindenwood Wednesday at South Recreational Complex.
The scoring got started early on a goal from sophomore forward Makayla Toth for her ninth of the season. The Jennies defense allowed just two shots to the Lions in the first half and led 1-0 at intermission.
Scott took over as the second half began, scoring a goal in the first minute after torching the Lions defense and breaking away for her 14th of the season. It only took Scott five minutes to get her 15th goal as she redirected a kick with her head to give the Jennies a 3-0 lead.
“I just went out in the second trying to be better than I was in the first half,” Scott said. “A lot of that came with just being more effective and efficient for us up top.”
The Jennies used the lead to substitute nine players out of the game in order to rest their starters with the MIAA Championship demanding quick turnaround for games.
Freshman Payge Bush scored her first goal of the season in the 82nd minute to give the Jennies a 4-0 lead.
Freshman goalkeeper Lindsey Johnson stood tall in the final minutes as the Lions desperately tried to score. She made five saves and clinched her sixth shutout in nine games this season.
Johnson said she and the defense are getting more comfortable working together.
“I’ve been working on my composure when they pass it back to me and I want to build on that more,” she said. “Our defense is getting a lot better and more confident going up. They played really well today.”
Jennies freshman goalkeeper Lindsey Johnson made five saves in the Jennies 4-0 win over Lindenwood. Johnson has six shutouts in nine career games with the Jennies.
Scott and junior defender Alyssa Gann were named to the All-MIAA first team Wednesday. It is the fourth straight year Scott has earned first-team honors.
“I think its a good reflection of what we’ve put into this season,” Scott said. “I don’t pay a lot of attention to that stuff though. I like winning more as a team than I do individually.”
The Jennies now advance to the semifinal round of the MIAA Championship and will face Emporia State Friday. The Hornets defeated Northeastern State 2-1 in their quarterfinal match. The Jennies last matchup against the Hornets resulted in a 3-1 loss Oct. 21.
“We’re really excited. I know they’re going to come out with a lot of energy like they did the first time,” Scott said. “But, I know we’ll be ready to match that intensity.”
The semifinal matchup between the Jennies and Hornets is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. Friday at Tom Thompson Field in Edmond, Oklahoma.
