Graduate Student Maddie Manzke in 1-0 win over Trinity Christian College SXU Athletics Website
After finishing the regular season 9-4-4 the Cougars opened their CCAC tournament run by getting a 1-0 win at home against Trinity Christian College before ultimately having their playoff run end after a double overtime loss against St.Ambrose University.
Game 1: (W) SXU: 1, TCC: 0
On Tuesday, Nov. 4, the Cougars hosted the No.7 Trinity Christian College Trolls in the CCAC Quarterfinals where they took a 1-0 win to advance to the conference semifinals.
From the opening whistle the Cougars asserted dominance on the field as they managed to keep the ball in TCC territory for most of the first half.
The game winning moment came just 12 minutes into the second half after senior midfielder Hailey Henry connected with the back of the net to put the Cougars on top and one step closer to victory.
Despite the Trolls best efforts to try and mount a comeback the Cougars defense was just too strong to give them any opportunities at a potential game tying goal.
Junior goalkeeper Natalie Dybas helped manage the defense recording three saves while also securing her sixth shutout of the season.
After a strong 1-0 win SXU heads to the semifinals for the second time in the last three years while also securing their first home playoff win in 17 years.
Game 2: (L) SXU:1, SAU:2
SXU came up just short in a heartbreaker on Nov. 7, falling 2-1 in double overtime against No. 3 St.Ambrose University in the conference semifinals. With the loss the Cougars now look to hope their performance was enough to get them into the NAIA tournament.
The Cougars struck first in minute 20 after senior midfielder Veronica Davila connected with the net for her 9th goal of the season putting SXU up 1-0 heading into halftime with momentum.
St. Ambrose shifted that momentum in the second half after the Fighting Bees found the equalizer in minute 62, which shut down the SXU offense and helped lead the game to overtime after a 1-1 tie through the first 90 minutes.
In the first overtime both teams brought pressure but neither team was able to find the game winning goal sending the game into a second overtime.
In minute 104 deep into the second overtime St.Ambrose broke through and ended the game sending them into the conference finals leaving the Cougars stunned as their playoff run had ended in front of their home crowd.
As the season came to end the Cougars were well recognized when it came to the end of season awards as four players were awarded all CCAC team honors with midfielder Veronica Davila, graduate student forward Maddie Manzke, and senior defender Hope Lewis all earning first team honors while junior forward Alex Jonaitis earning all second team honors.
Lewis was also rewarded with becoming the first CCAC women’s defensive player of the year in program history.
If this is the end of the line for the Cougars season they have a lot of good to look back upon as there were times this season where this team didn’t not look like a playoff caliber team but they overcame a lot of adversity to get the team to a solid playoff run and momentum built to make a deep playoff run in 2026.