The Buccaneer women's soccer team captured control of their own postseason fate with a huge 2-0 win at Lawrence Tuesday night.
The MWC Tournament race will come down to the wire as three teams battle to punch the final two tickets into the postseason. The top four squads advance to the league tournament and two have already secured their place, Knox and Lake Forest. Lawrence held the third spot until Tuesday when Monmouth leapfrogged them with a win over Cornell. Now the Fighting Scots hold the third slot with 13 points. Following Beloit's impressive win under the lights at the Banta Bowl, the Bucs and Vikings are tied for fourth with 12 points with just one regular season contest remaining.
Beloit now has control over their postseason fate as Saturday becomes a "win and in" scenario for the Bucs in the team's final home game against Cornell. The other match to determine the final tournament field will take place at Lawrence as the Vikings host Monmouth Saturday.
On Tuesday, it didn't take long for the Bucs to set the tone.
Natalie Ortiz drove into the box capturing a corner for Beloit inside the 15 minute mark. Lorraine Pedroze took the corner from the right side sending a low ball near the top of the box.
Bri Paez got a piece of it with her right boot sending the ball on a high hop that bounded over the goalie's outstretched arm and under the crossbar for an early 1-0 lead in the 15th minute.
Mikaila Davis gave Beloit a cushion in the 61st minute finding the back of the net off an assist from Ortiz.
Audrey Ketterer,
Briana Arteaga, and the Buc defense kept the Vikings off the board recording two saves on the night.