COLUMBIA, Ky. - Making its first-ever trip to the NAIA national tournament, the William Woods University Owls soccer team fought valiantly before falling to the Lindsey Wilson College Blue Raiders 5-2 on Saturday.
William Woods battled Lindsey Wilson evenly for most of the first half, but came unraveled in the final 20 minutes by allowing three goals. Junior forward Tyler Collishaw put the Blue Raiders (14-3) on the scoreboard with his unassisted goal in the 24th minute.
Junior midfielder Stephane Dasse then assisted on back-to-back goals by senior forward Andres Riquelme in the 30th and 42nd minutes to give Lindsey Wilson a 3-0 edge.
The Owls attempted to mount a comeback, but were stymied by the Blue Raiders until the final 10 minutes. Senior forward Rodrigo Alves was able to punch in a goal in the 82nd minute to gave William Woods a small chance at making a drastic rally.
However, Collishaw would answer with a goal in the 85th minute to extend Lindsey Wilson's lead to 4-1.
Senior forward Anthony Moscatello tallied a goal for the Owls in the 86th minute, but sophomore midfielder Mutaya Mwape's goal in the 89th minute capped off the Blue Raiders' victory.
William Woods was outshot 22-8 overall, including 6-3 in shots goal. The Owls were also edged in corner kicks 4-3.
William Woods finished its season with a 13-4-3 record, setting a school record for wins.