By ANTHONY SHINGLER |  Senior Staff Writer

What else can be said about the APSU Lady Govs’ successful run through the Ohio Valley Conference Soccer Championships Sunday, Nov. 7. Morehead State prevailed in a 2-1 victory for the tournament title over the Lady Govs.

“We had a tremendous year. It’s disappointing, but everything has to end,” said head coach Kelley Guth. “I thought our team came out and played a heartfelt game. They laid it all on the line and we just came up one goal short. It’s disappointing, but what a game.”

The Lady Govs were led throughout the tournament by All-OVC Tournament team award winners Carley Newman, Tatiana Ariza and Natalia Ariza. Newman’s guidance from her post in goal was pivotal. She came up with key saves and posted a clean sheet throughout the tournament. Offensively, both Tatiana and Natalia Ariza posted two goals a piece.

“They (Ariza twins) have been a tremendous addition to our program and I am looking forward to working with them for the next three years,” Guth said.

Tatiana showed why she is dangerous when she struck from distance in the 22nd minute of the game. She fired a shot that pinged off the goal post and into the back of the net. The goal was a 1-1 equalizer. Morehead’s Giuleana Lopez scored the first goal of the game in the 16th minute.

Lopez would end the game with two goals scored and later be named the MVP of the tournament. Her second goal, an impressive header off a cross from her teammate Erin Adams in the 30th minute, turned out to be the game winner.

“She is a dangerous attacking player for them. She is very good in the air, very athletic and hard working player,” Guth said. “Lopez was in the position today to put the ball in the back of the net and did a tremendous job.”

Lopez was the head of an aggressive Morehead offense which attacked early and often. They launched 12 shots in the first period and finished the game with the advantage of 18 shots to just four Lady Gov cracks.

Lady Gov senior goalkeeper Carley Newman stayed busy. She made three saves in the first period and finished the game with five total. Newman made 17 saves in the tournament and also earned a shutout.

“We are very strong on our defense. We got scored on twice, but I don’t think that shows what our defense is capable of,” Newman said.

Although the Lady Govs would have preferred a win and to continue to the NCAA tournament, they are not letting the loss to Morehead tarnish their golden season.

“We felt like we deserved to be here and so did everyone else on the Austin Peay side,” Newman said.

“We came out here to prove people wrong, and I think that is what we have done.” TAS

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