BOWLING GREEN, Ky. -- No. 1-seed Lindsey Wilson lived up to its top billing with a 5-0 win over the eighth-seeded University of Pikeville women's soccer team in the first round of the Mid-South Conference Championship on Thursday at the Lovers Lane Soccer Complex.

The loss brings the season to an end for the Bears as they finish with a 4-15 overall record. The Blue Raiders improve to 14-1-2 and advance to Friday's semifinals.

In the regular-season meeting between UPIKE and Lindsey Wilson, the Bears lost 13-0. Thursday night was a vast improvement, but not enough of a jump to overcome the perennial national power.

The upset effort was all about defense as the Bears failed to fire a shot in the game. Goalkeeper Bryanna Schroers came up with an impressive eight saves to lead the charge. But Yvonne Ploeg was too good for the Blue Raiders, netting two goals to help earn the postseason win.

Lindsey Wilson outshot the Bears 14-0, led by a trio of players with two attempts each, and had a 10-2 advantage in corner kicks. Fouls went in UPIKE's favor at 6-5.

The first goal of the game was scored in the ninth minute when Ploeg finished a cross from Amanda Kander. After that, things opened up some, allowing Lindsey Wilson to take a 4-0 lead into halftime. The second half was one of the best defensive performances of the season for the Bears as they limited Lindsey Wilson to a single goal in the 63rd minute.

Keepers Johanna Henrickson and Megan Rauch combined for the clean sheet as each played exactly 45 minutes for the Blue Raiders

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-UPIKE-