Lamoni, IA – Graceland University women's soccer team battled hard but ultimately fell 3-1 against a strong Missouri Valley College squad on Saturday afternoon. The Yellowjackets held their ground, fighting back in the second half but were unable to overcome Missouri Valley's early lead.

The opening goal came in the 11th minute, when Missouri Valley's Ashley Arribas found the net off an assist from Ana Rendon, placing Graceland in an early deficit. The Vikings continued to press, scoring again at the 34-minute mark with an unassisted goal from Carla Carmona, leaving the Yellowjackets trailing 2-0 at the half.

Head Coach Randall Porter praised the team's perseverance despite the challenging match. "Tonight's loss was tough, but this team showed grit and determination to compete against one of the best squads in our conference. We're still in a strong position to qualify for the HAAC postseason, and I know these players are ready to push forward."

Graceland found new energy after halftime, and in the 62nd minute, midfielder Chloe Montera seized an opportunity, scoring an unassisted goal to bring Graceland back within one. Montera's goal revitalized the Yellowjackets' attack, sparking additional offensive pushes, but despite several close chances, they couldn't find the equalizer.

Goalkeeper Maggie Peterson kept the Yellowjackets in the match with eight saves, facing a total of 16 shots from Missouri Valley. Her resilience in the net held off numerous Viking attempts in both halves, particularly in a tightly contested second period.

The match's intensity continued as the game wore on. Missouri Valley's defense proved difficult to crack, limiting Graceland to six shots, of which only three were on target. As the Yellowjackets continued to press for a tying goal, Missouri Valley countered, securing their third and final goal in the 89th minute. Miriam Aldabo Alguer scored with an assist from Serena Abe, ending the game with a decisive 3-1 scoreline.

Looking to the future, Porter expressed optimism about the team's prospects. "This season has been about growth and learning to compete at a high level. We have some important goals within reach, especially making the postseason, and the team is focused on putting in the work to get there. Today's game was a test, and we're committed to pushing forward for the HAAC tournament."

The Graceland women's soccer team will now play wait-and-see to determine when and where their postseason journey will begin.

For more information on the women's soccer team and all of Yellowjacket athletics, visit GUjackets.com.