Fresh off a quarterfinal victory at Northeastern State, the Lindenwood women's soccer team will head to Warrensburg, Mo. looking to advance to its first MIAA championship match. The Lady Lions are set to battle nationally-ranked No. 4 Central Missouri at 4 p.m. from the South Recreation Complex on Friday.

It nearly took the full 90 minutes on Wednesday night, but Kat Roe used a corner kick from Becky Roberts to fuel the victory. With just 45 seconds remaining in the second half, Roe broke the scoreless tie with her ninth goal of the season. The Lady Lions avenged an early-season loss to the RiverHawks in Tahlequah, Okla. with the 1-0 win at DeLoache Field.

The Lady Lions and Jennies faced off twice during the 2016 regular season, with UCM prevailing in both. In the first battle on September 16 at Hunter Stadium, Central Missouri controlled the box score, but could only manage one goal on the rain-pouring evening. Keeper Mary McGilvray made seven saves on 18 shots faced, while Jackie Lindner, Roe, and Roberts each had a shot on goal.

In the rematch on October 28 in Warrensburg, Lindenwood held the Jennies scoreless through 65 minutes, as each team played even. At halftime, each team had nine shots, with the Jennies holding the edge in corner kicks. In the 66th minute, UCM broke through with a score from MIAA Offensive Player of the Year, Jada Scott. Less than nine minutes later, Central Missouri put another to the back of the net after a scrum in front of the net. UCM held the momentum most of the second half to hold on to win, 2-0.

Lindenwood Notes
- The victory over Northeastern State marked the first time women's soccer program reach double-digit wins since 2008, and also was the first win in postseason play since Lindenwood began NCAA and MIAA competition in 2012. 

- Kat Roe, who scored the game-winning goal on Wednesday, was named all-MIAA first team prior to the match. Becky Roberts earned second-team honors, while senior Miranda Huebner was placed on the third team. Senior Jackie Lindner was honorable mention for the fourth time in her career. 

- That game-winner was the fourth this season for Roe, and ninth goal overall for the senior. The assist from Roberts was her team-leading sixth of the year.

- The 1-0 final against the RiverHawks was the 12th one-goal match of the season for the Lady Lions, and fifth of the season with that score. The Lady Lions are now 2-3 in 1-0 matches, and have won their past two. 

- Friday will be the 10th time Central Missouri and Lindenwood will face off, with the Jennies owning a 9-0-0 record thus far. The Lady Lions have yet to score against UCM, and the defense has held the Jennies to four goals the last three matches. 

Central Missouri Notes
- The Jennies have been ranked in the top-five in the nation the entire season. At one point, UCM was No. 3 before falling to Central Oklahoma in its only loss of the 2016.

- UCM had three players earn player of the year awards for the MIAA this season. Jada Scott was named the Offensive Player of the Year, Emily Eldridge earned co-Defender of the Year, and Ana Dilkes secured Goalkeeper of the Year. 

- Scott scored 34 points this season with 14 goals and six assists, while Eldridge tallied two goals and two assists of her own. Dilkes had an incredible season, only allowing two goals while posting a 17-1-0 record. She earned 14 shutouts, while accumulating a .974 save percentage and .12 goals against average. 

- The Jennies had six members make the all-MIAA first team, one to the second team, and one to the third team. UCM also had a player earn an honorable mention, marking nine student-athletes who were all-conference performers for the MIAA co-champions. 

- UCM is currently 17-1-0 on the season, and a perfect 9-0-0 at home. Since losing to Central Oklahoma, 2-1, on October 7, the Jennies have won eight-straight matches, including five at home. 

Looking Ahead
- The winner will vie for the MIAA championship against either co-regular season champs Fort Hays State or Central Oklahoma. The Jennies have won the past two conference titles, while the Lady Lions are coming off their first tournament win in program history. 

- Lindenwood lost each match against Fort Hays State and Central Oklahoma this season. The Lady Lions dropped a 4-1 contest in Edmond, Okla. on October 9 after falling 1-0 to the Tigers back on September 30. Fort Hays State scored nearly nine minutes into double overtime, just before the final whistle would indicate a tie. 


The MIAA semifinal contest is set for 4 p.m. from Warrensburg on Friday.