Beloit College's historical 2021 campaign will continue in the NCAA Division III Tournament after the Buccaneers defeated top-seeded Knox College in a shootout Saturday in Galesburg, Illinois.
The Buccaneers defeated Knox 3-0 in the shootout after 110 minutes of scoreless play to secure their first
Midwest Conference Tournament title in program history. With the victory, Beloit earns the league's automatic bid into the NCAA Division III Tournament. The Bucs will find out where they will be headed in the 2021
NCAA Division III Tournament during the selection show scheduled for November 8 at 12 p.m.
Beloit's defense kept a strong Knox offense off the board throughout with the Bucs' keepers turning away 13 shots on goal in the contest.
The defensive chess match had the scoreboard reading 0-0 through regulation and two overtime periods sending the game into a shootout. With shootout attempts taken from the penalty spot, Beloit's
Gracie Gasmann stepped up to the 'X'. She approached and sent a hard ball toward the lower right posting beating the outstretched arm of the Prairie Fire's keeper into the back of the net to take an early advantage.
Maya Betzler, who took over for
Audrey Ketterer in goal in the second half, took her spot in front of goal for Knox's first attempt. Deborah Bonales was tapped for the first strike but Betzler would have none of it fully extending to her left and punching the ball wide of goal.
Beloit's
Aspen Valentine was the next to step to the ball. She had the keeper off balance on an off-speed shot toward the lower left corner that found netting for a 2-0 Buc lead in the shootout.
For Knox's second attempt, Brianna Dietz sent a shot that careened high and over the crossbar to bring Beloit's
Lorraine Pedroza to the 'X'. A solid strike to the left side of the goal bested the Prairie Fire goalie to make it 3-0 and force a must-score for Knox.
Once again, Betzler was up to the task. Olivia Grierson approached, struck and sent a fire ball toward the left side of goal. Betzler read the attempt and fully extended for the save to seal Beloit's first Midwest Conference Tournament title in program history.
