Curtain Call: #10 Monroe Lose to #3 Navarro in Final Game of 2024

WICHITA, KS - In their final game of the season, MCC's women's soccer team fell to #3 Navarro College 3-1. The game itself was a consolation game, meaningless in terms of advancing further in Nationals. Still, it was an opportunity for revenge for last year's Tribune team that fell to the Bulldogs. 

Navarro came out fast, scoring in just the fourth minute after a quality combination of passes led to a tap-in goal, but the Tribunes were able to equalize later in the first half when Mathilda Hellmich (Cologne, Germany) put the ball in the box on a set piece, which led to a Molly Seither (Palmyra, NY) goal to draw that match level.

 Unfortunately, the Tribune's luck ran out towards the end of the half. An own goal by Monroe cost the Tribs the momentum and left the first half back in a one-goal deficit. 

The second half was much less exciting for MCC. The Bulldogs scored early in the second half, jumping on a poor pass from the Tribunes. This led to a fast break, on which Navarro's Zoe Nelson was able to capitalize, ultimately leading to the final score of 3-1. 

Despite a disappointing trip to Nationals, the Lady Tribs have a lot to be proud of. The team finished the 2024 season with a record of 11-4-2, including a perfect road record of 6-0. Monroe scored 64 goals on the year and recorded seven clean sheets. Freshman forward Sam Cipolla (Rochester, NY) was dominant all season, leading the team in goals (24) and assists (9). Also dominant from an offensive perspective, sophomore Sofia Martins (Lisbon, Portugal) finished the year second in both categories with nine goals and eight assists. 

Defensively, freshman Kennady Billman (Belleville, NY) was an anchor for the Tribunes all season, starting every game in the back end, and freshman keeper Clare Boesel (Palmyra, NY) was a stalworth in goal, recording 64 saves and a resounding .865% save percentage. 

Although the Tribunes could not bring home the trophy this season, Coach Galvano and company will be pleased by the development and character of this team and will look to improve on 2024's success now headed into 2025.