CLEVELAND, Ga. - The 2024 UPIKE women's soccer season came to an end Saturday afternoon after a 4-0 loss to No. 1 Truett McConnell in round two of the 2024 AAC Women's Soccer Tournament.  

Truett McConnell got the offense going early Saturday, with three corner kick opportunities and five shot attempts in the first 18 minutes. TMU continued to apply the pressure, but UPIKE was able to keep them off the scoreboard. 

Senior goalkeeper Millie Conod was crucial in keeping the score tied at half. Conod turned away all four TMU shots on goal in the first half. After 45 minutes of play, UPIKE and TMU were tied 0-0, despite TMU having an 11-0 shot advantage. 

TMU began the second half just like they did the first, with a furious offensive attack. Truett McConnell had five shot attempts (four on frame) in the first eight minutes of the second half, but Conod turned them away. TMU would, however, breakthrough in the 53' when Brianna Hernandez connected with Isabella Hodson for the first goal of the match.  

15 minutes after Hodson scored the match's first goal, TMU doubled their lead. Hodson connected with Eliska Dvorakova in the 68' to make it 2-0. UPIKE then moved the ball into TMU territory. Anna Dudas had UPIKE's first shot attempt of the match in the 71', but her attempt went wide of the net.  

Shortly after Dudas took UPIKE's first shot, TMU scored two goals in as many minutes. Hodson scored in the 72' and Ashley Johnson found the back of the net in the 74'. UPIKE had their first shot on goal minutes after. Sara Ritter took the shot but was turned away by TMU keeper Emelie Taylor. UPIKE's last scoring chance came in the 84' by way of a header by Hailey Hudgens but it did not find the back of the net.  

UPIKE women's soccer finishes the season with a record of 9-7-2 (6-5-2 AAC). The Bears' six conference wins are a new program-best and their nine total wins are the second most in program history. 2024 is also the first time they have finished with a winning record in conference and overall.  

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