SSU, Indiana-Kokomo battle to 0-0 draw in regular season finale; Bears clinch berth in River States Conference Tournament

PORTSMOUTH, Ohio -- In a physical battle that came down to the final minute of play, the Shawnee State women's soccer program and the Indiana-Kokomo women's soccer program fought one another to a 0-0 draw as the Bears and the Cougars both clinched their River States Conference postseason bids on the final day of regular season action at Shawnee Turf in Portsmouth Saturday evening.

The Rundown

Shawnee State, who finished the regular season 3-8-4 but went a solid 3-3-3 in River States Conference competition to earn a bid into the conference's postseason tournament, accumulated 12 points as did Indiana-Kokomo in the final standings to secure a bid.

Since the Cougars earned the tiebreaker on goals scored over the Bears, the Shawnee State women will be the No. 6 overall seed and will travel to No. 3-seeded Indiana-East, as SSU did in 2023, for the River States Conference Quarterfinals. SSU defeated Indiana-East, 2-0,  in the RSC Quarters in 2023.

In a scrappy contest Saturday, both teams played straight up throughout the 90-minute affair as SSU and Indiana-Kokomo each posted nine shots in the contest with Indiana-Kokomo placing six shots on goal to Shawnee State's four.

Despite an 11-6 disadvantage in fouls, the Bears, however, continued to play strong defensively, with several individuals, such as Elizabeth Brown, Izzy Riddle and Julye Derenemesnil standing out on the pitch with their relentless energy -- as Riddle made several excellent slide tackles while Brown and Derenemesnil pressed to keep Indiana-Kokomo from establishing as strong of an attack as the Cougars' would've liked.

When Indiana-Kokomo did get its chances, Harlee Brand was there on each opportunity.

The freshman, who continues to build on a potential All-RSC caliber season in goal, made six saves -- including four in the second half of competition. Her best stops were in the 49th and 80th minutes of action, as Brand reacted quickly to deny a header attempt by Indiana-Kokomo's Mackenzie Gibbons in the 49th, then dove to also send back a shot attempt by Kaiya Bogers in the 80th minute with Shawnee State senior defender and captain Claire Favre helping on the play by supplying pressure on Bogers.

Offensively, Shawnee State had its chances, as well. In the second minute, Carlota Ipina Taylor, who is well-known for her strong leg, pierced a ball that missed just high to the left of the upper 90 and did the same in the 25th minute, while Haynna Addy also missed just high in the 34th in front of the net. A strong left-footed blast from way out by Lucie Ashkettle was also saved in the 39th.

In the second half, SSU's best chances came by way of Madison Culp. The senior captain notched shots in the 64th and 86th minutes of play, with her latter attempt being a beauty of a shot from the center of the field that just went over the goal after Culp placed an excellent touch on the ball with just over three minutes left in the exciting battle.

Additional

Shawnee State's River States Conference Quarterfinal match against Indiana-East (5-8-4, 5-2-2 RSC) will be at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 6 at a site to be announced -- as Indiana-East plays its home matches at two different sites over the course of the season. The winner advances to a Saturday matchup against No. 2-seeded Rio Grande, with that time to be announced.

For more information, check back at www.ssubears.com or follow the below social media accounts.