Inaugural season closes in KCAC semifinals
| Final | 1 | 2 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
St. Ambrose (9-5) | 2 | 2 | 4 |
|
Benedictine (KS) (12-1) | 11 | 12 | 23 |
A St. Ambrose team battling injuries down the stretch saw its season come to a close with a 23-4 loss to Benedictine in the semifinals of the KCAC Tournament Thursday afternoon in Leavenworth, Kan.
The Bees actually led 1-0 on Allie Ruggiero's free position shot just over a minute into the game. But Benedictine, a team receiving votes in the NAIA top-10 poll, ran off 11 straight goals to take control.
Jamie Rieger netted a hat trick, including two goals in the second half for St. Ambrose.
Elizabeth Zia came up with eight first-half saves in goal before Hannah Tomsovic made four saves in the second half.
The loss doesn't put a damper on the team's first season of varsity play. SAU finished 9-5 overall and 4-3 in the KCAC, qualifying for the league's postseason tournament. Dallas Baker was named to the all-conference first team while Rieger, Ruggiero and Zia were second team selections.