FROSTBURG, Md.- The Frostburg State women's soccer team ended their season in heartbreaking fashion, losing to Notre Dame 4-3 in a PK shootout after the game finished 0-0. The loss ends FSU's season at 6-2-1, while NDC advances to the MEC final against Concord with a 6-2-2 record.
 
Frostburg started out on the front foot, controlling much of the possession and fashioned a chance just over four minutes in, with a left-footed effort from junior Lexi Pate straight at Falcon keeper Jordan Pasalaqua. The Falcons would grow into the game, creating their opening opportunity after the 15-minute mark, but first-year Ashley Bilger made a fantastic save at the feet of Alyssa Wright to keep the score at 0-0.
 
20 minutes in, Pate and fellow junior Audra Curtin would have opportunities either side of a Falcon chance, with Pate's effort forcing Pasalaqua into a diving save to her right. The teams would go back-and-forth, with the Falcons forcing Bilger into another save on Wright, keeping the teams even. Curtin would have another shot saved in the 38^th minute, as the teams were equal going into halftime.
 
The second half would feature much of the same back-and-forth action, with Curtin getting the first opportunity less than three minutes in, but Pasalaqua saved again. Bilger would then make another save, this time against Katja Josipovic in the 65^th minute, with both sides still unable to find a breakthrough.
 
Pate tried to get FSU in the lead, cutting in on her right foot with eight minutes remaining, but her curling effort was too close to Pasalaqua, who was able to collect the shot. First-year Toni Fiocco-Mizer, who was a source of energy all game for the Bobcats, had the last opportunity in regulation to score, but was also denied by Pasalaqua.
 
Regulation ended without a goal to separate the sides, so the tie went into overtime to try and find a winner. The first overtime had plenty of frantic play, but neither side could fashion a concrete chance. In the second overtime, FSU again came out on the front foot, with first-year Lela Clark taking a shot on goal within the first minute. Pasalaqua made the save, as Frostburg continued to keep up the pressure, and had the best opportunity for either team in the overtime periods on a corner kick. The ball was floated in by Clark, Pasalaqua missed the ball as it traveled to the back post, but first-year Ashley Chew was only able to flick her shot over the bar.
 
With still no score between the sides, the game went to a deciding PK shootout. Frostburg was first up, with Curtin slotting her shot in to give FSU a 1-0 lead, before Josipovic answered to even it at 1-1. Junior Mina Del Borrello, who impressed defensively all season, sent her shot over the bar, but was helped out by a big save from Bilger on Kalie Blaising to keep the shootout at 1-1. First-year Hannah Thompson and Blake Allen would trade makes to get the score to 2-2. Pate and April Gaukin would also make both of theirs to take it to the final round tied 3-3. Fiocco-Mizer had her shot saved by Pasalaqua, leaving center-back Madison Luckett to win it for the Falcons 4-3.
 
The loss brings an impressive second year in MEC play to an end for FSU, improving from 6-11-1 in 2019 to making the MEC semifinals this season. They will return to play in the Fall for their official 2021 season.