Salt Lake Edges Monroe 2-1, Ending The Tribunes’ Title Hopes

WICHITA, KS - In a tough postseason matchup, the #10 Monroe Community College Tribunes fell to #6 Salt Lake Community College 2-1. Despite a second-half resurgence, the stout defense of the Bruins and effective goalkeeping by Elle Rafajko crushed the aspirations of the Tribunes and ended their title hopes. 

The Bruins came out hot, scoring their first goal in only the 16th minute, putting the Tribunes in a bind early. Extending the lead for Salt Lake, Reika Yuba scored an improbable goal off a corner kick in the 34th minute. The Bruins outshot the Tribs 8-3 in the first half, taking advantage of strong winds towards the MCC net.

The second half was a much different story. Monroe, now having the wind at their back, became much more aggressive offensively. The Lady Tribs finally got on the scoreboard in the 68th minute, when the hero of the Trubnes game against Monroe U, Maddalena Gallon (Pieve Di Soligo, Italy), scored a floater from 20 yards away into the top right corner, bringing the Tribunes within one. However, that is where the scoring stopped and the game ended 2-1 in favor of the Bruins.

MCC gave it their all in the second half, outshooting the Bruins 15-4, with Kennady Billman (Belleville, NY) and Sam Cipolla (Rochester, NY) both putting a number of shots on goal. Nevertheless, an impressive day by Salt Lake keeper Elle Rafajko and her eight saves stopped the Tribunes from advancing out of the group.    

While the Tribunes' title hopes are no more, they still have one game remaining on the schedule and a chance for some revenge from last season when they take on Navarro College in Wichita. 

NEXT UP: Navarro College | 11/19/24 (4 pm) | Stryker Sports Complex (Wichita, KS)