DUBUQUE, Iowa — Park University women's soccer battled Clarke University for 90 minutes Tuesday night, but a late second-half goal proved to be the difference as the Pirates fell 1-0 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference quarterfinals at Burrows Field.
After a scoreless opening half, Clarke's Malia Silvers scored in the 75th minute, finishing a pass from Saydee Salcedo to give the home side the only goal it needed.
First Half
Both teams spent the opening minutes feeling out the match, with neither side finding an early breakthrough. Park was called offside in the seventh minute, while Clarke was flagged offside three minutes later.
Clarke began to apply pressure through its attack. Saydee Salcedo sent an attempt wide in the 11th minute before Keylilah Gutierrez tested Park goalkeeper Frankie Williams in the 14th minute. Williams came up with the save to keep the match scoreless.
The Pirates continued to defend against Clarke's attacking opportunities. Williams made another important stop in the 26th minute, denying a shot from Hailey Packer.
Park's best first-half opportunity came in the 29th minute when Maddy Farris sent a shot toward goal, but the attempt sailed high. Neither team could find the net before halftime, and the teams entered the break tied 0-0.
Second Half
Clarke increased its pressure after halftime, looking to turn its possession and shot advantage into a goal. The hosts created two dangerous chances in quick succession just before the hour mark.
At 59:05, Alyssa Fernandez put a shot on target, but Williams made the save. Less than a minute later, Liv Turnquist attempted a header that Williams also stopped, keeping Park even.
Clarke continued to threaten through the middle of the half. Onesty Lopez sent a shot high in the 64th minute and another wide in the 67th minute as Park's defense worked to keep the match scoreless.
Park earned a corner kick in the 73rd minute, giving the Pirates an opportunity to generate pressure in the attacking third. Clarke responded with a corner of its own at 74:21, and the ensuing attack produced the breakthrough.
At 74:42, Silvers scored off an assist from Salcedo to put Clarke ahead 1-0.
The Pirates pushed forward in search of an equalizer. Preslee Zeigler sent an attempt wide in the 82nd minute, and Park earned another corner kick in the 87th minute. However, Clarke's defense held firm through the final minutes to secure the quarterfinal victory.
By the Numbers
Clarke finished with a 10-2 advantage in total shots and put five attempts on target. Park was unable to register a shot on goal.
Williams played all 90 minutes in goal and recorded four saves for the Pirates, keeping the match within reach throughout the contest. Clarke goalkeeper Abigail Turley did not face a recorded shot on goal.
Park and Clarke each finished with two corner kicks. The Pirates committed six fouls compared with 13 for Clarke.
Farris and Zeigler accounted for Park's two shots. Silvers led the decisive moment for Clarke with the match-winning goal, while Salcedo provided the assist.
The loss brings Park's 2026 season to a close. The Pirates finish with a 6-10-2 overall record and a 6-6-2 mark in conference play.
