The No. 5 seeded Park University women's soccer program was on the road for their third Heart of America Athleic Conference Tournament Quarterfinal appearance in the last four years. Park traveled to the No. 4 seeded Ravens of Benedictine College on Wednesday under the lights.

The Pirates at 9-5-3 matched their best season record since joining the Heart and earned their most conference wins with 7 since joining the conference in 2020.

This season the Pirates had an explosion of offensive production with 56 goals, the most as a program since the 2018 season when the Pirates scored 57 goals. With only allowing 22 goals on the year, Park had great balance in this year's squad.

In the previous match on September 20, Park and the Ravens tied, 1-1. These teams also met in Park's last quarterfinal appearance in 2023, also at Benedictine, where Park fell 3-1.

This matchup was a hard fought battle the whole way, but the defense won the day for both sides. 

Through the first half both sides were scoreless. Every indication pointed to Park having the advantage with nine shots to only two by Benedictine in the first half. Although, the Ravens had the only shot on goal in the first half and the only corner kick opportunity.

The Pirates out shot Benedictine in the second half as well with six, but things were evening out on the attack for Benedictine with four second half shots. 

Park avoided danger on a few occasions, but a ball crossed into the box couldn't be cleared and the pass found a lone Raven on the far post for the only goal of the game in the 66th minute. 

No corner kicks were awarded Park in the game and there were only three for the full 90 by the Ravens.

It's a hard pill to swallow for Park with 15 shots to only six by their opponent.

Both sides had one player get  a yellow, while the Pirates had an additional yellow card after the goal charged to an assistant coach.
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