JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn.—The Barry University Buccaneers saw their season end with a 2-0 loss to the third-ranked Columbus State Cougars in the quarterfinals of the NCAA Division II women's soccer tournament on Sunday at McCown Field at Carson Newman University.
The Buccaneers (15-3-1) saw their 11-game unbeaten streak end in a game that was much closer than the score would indicate. Barry held the edge in shots and shots on goal for most of the day before CSU (21-2-1) pulled away to lead 18-15 and 8-7. The Bucs also put a pair of shots off the iron and Cougar keeper Maylen Parsons was forced to make several tough saves.
The Bucs dominated play in the first five minutes. Shanice Robe fired a point-blank shot in the first :30 seconds that caught Parsons out of position, but Brooke Nail was there to interpose her body and deflect the chance.
Barry conceded a corner kick in the ninth minute and the Cougars capitalized. Chelsea Person sent a perfect cross to the far post and Mandy Janowitz headed it back across the goal mouth to Hugrun Elvarsdottir whose header ticked off the glove of Barry keeper Paula Forero.
In the 19th minute, Amanda Traynor found a groove on the left wing. Her shot was deflected by a diving Parsons off the post and Barry was turned away again.
In the 61st minute, Robe lifted a shot of the right wing, similar to the one that ended the Tampa game, but Parsons was able to punch it high and off the cross bar.
The Cougars put in the clincher in the 76th minute. After Barry was whistled for a foul just outside the 18-yard box, the Bucs were unable to clear the ball despite several chances and it landed at the feet of Peachbelt Conference player of the year, Nicole Corcione who tapped it in for the goal.
The Bucs finished tied for fifth nationally and return seven starters next season as they hope to make an even further run in the national tournament.
