The dream season continues for the Minnesota State women’s soccer team.
The Mavericks posted a 2-1 victory over top-seeded Columbus State in the NCAA Division II National Semifinals on Friday at Matthews, N.C. They will play Cal Poly Pomona for the national championship on Sunday afternoon.
Former Ankeny Centennial standout Courtney Kovacs played a key role in the win. Just minutes after Columbus State’s Elle Henschel tied the game at 1-1, Kovacs pushed the ball up field as the Mavericks had an odd-man rush.
Kovacs went to bury a shot upper center, but it just bounced off the crossbar, falling to the feet of Marin Johnson. The freshman took two steps toward the goal and lifted a shot to the upper 90 on the right side to put her team back in front at the 70:48 mark.
The goal was Johnson’s fourth of the season and her third game-winning goal.
“I was there at the right time at the right place,” said Johnson. “I saw the ball hit the top of the crossbar and I told myself to put it in the back of the net, and that’s what I did.”
The Mavericks (18-1-7) handed Columbus State (22-1-2) its first loss of the season. Goalkeeper Clare Loungueville finished with 10 saves on 11 shots, including one on a penalty kick by Sarah Hungerford in the second half.
“We wanted to start fast coming out of the gates,” said Minnesota State coach Brian Bahl. “We created some quality chances early on. We weren’t fazed when they tied it up, they were focused and determined to get that goal back and put us ahead. Columbus State threw a lot at us, and it was a tremendous effort by our ladies.”
Cal Poly Ponoma (21-1-2) advanced to the championship game with a 4-0 triumph over Franklin Pierce.