Spartans conclude 2009 season with loss at Chicago
CHICAGO -- The Aurora University Spartans were defeated 2-0 by the University of Chicago Maroons in the opening round of the 2009 NCAA Division III Women’s Soccer Championship at the University of Chicago.

The first and deciding goal of the game was scored in the 26th minute of action by Maroon junior forward Sarah Loh, her 12th goal of the season came off a header following a scramble in front of Spartan freshman goalkeeper Liz Wong.

The two squads played to a stalemate the next 18 minutes as both teams had scoring opportunities.

But with 21 seconds remaining in the first half the Maroons struck again. Chicago freshman midfielder Marquel Reddish tallied her first collegiate goal. The Reddish goal came off a rebound from Wong that originated on a cross from sophomore forward Allison Hegel.

The two goal deficit and the Maroon defense proved to be too much for the Spartans to overcome in the second half as Chicago held on for the 2-0 victory, despite AU out-shooting the Maroons four shots on goal to three.

Wong had one save on the afternoon while Maroon sophomore goalkeeper Emma Gormley stopped all four Spartan shots sent her direction.

The Spartans conclude the 2009 season with a 16-6 overall record and were Northern Athletics Conference regular season champions with a 10-1 record as well as NAC tournament champions.

Courtesy of Aurora University, Sports Information Department, November 13, 2009.