Upper Iowa women's soccer team was in for a tough task as they took on the #1 Mavericks of Minnesota State in the NSIC/US Bank Tournament Semifinals. It was exactly one week after Peacocks wrapped up their home schedule with a 4-1 loss to the Mavericks in Fayette. In the first matchup, Minnesota State scored twice early in the first half before UIU brought it back to a one-goal game midway through the period. But the wind was in MSU's favor for the second half as the Mavericks tacked on two more goals to put the game out of reach. 

This matchup would be different as Head Coach Brian Diaz vowed to better prepare the Peacocks for this second game. Although the result was the same, UIU battled hard and several times appeared poised to take control of the match. Unfortunately in the end, it was the Mavericks celebrating their 1-0 victory. 

"I'm really proud of our performance today," said Diaz. "Not only did we play really well, but we played well enough to win. We executed our gameplan and created some great chances, but just couldn't catch the bounce we needed." 

In a scoreless first half, the Peacocks nearly got on the board first. Junior midfielder Madie Edwards took a shot that hit the post and bounced out, keeping the game tied. The Mavericks nearly broke the tie right before half when senior midfielder Sydney Temple put a shot on goal that was steered aside by a diving Kaitlyn Emanuel.

Edwards had two great scoring opportunities early in the second half. On the first, she got behind the Maverick defense on the left side of the box. Edwards shot to the far post and MSU goalkeeper Molly McGough made a finger tip save to deflect the ball just wide. Shortly after Edwards found herself with the ball in the box again, but McGough came up with another save.

"Madie and Aimee Wronski both had really good games and created numerous chances," said Diaz. "They were very instrumental in what we were trying to do and both did exactly what we asked. Unfortunately the ball just didn't find the net."

Following those opportunities, the Peacocks offense was able to move the ball into the Maverick end of the field but couldn't get a shot off. That wasn't an issue until the 70th minute when MSU broke through. Sophomore forward Karissa Prpich took a pass from junior defender Emily Erickson, took a shot and found the back of the net, giving the Mavericks a 1-0 lead.

UIU continued to push forward following the goal, but couldn't manage another good scoring opportunity. In the end, the Maverick defense, which has allowed just five goals all season, kept the Peacocks out.

Emanuel made seven saves for the Peacocks and Aimee Wronski led UIU with five shots, while Edwards had four shots. 

"I'm really proud of this senior class and what they have done with and for this program," said Diaz. "Those six seniors who played their last game today left it all out there and played their hearts out."

Upper Iowa finished the season 11-7-1 overall and 10-6-1 in conference play. The Peacocks had four players recognized as All-NSIC team members, two first team, one second and one third team.