ST. LOUIS – Maryville women's soccer earned a 1-0 shutout victory over Drury University in the Great Lakes Valley Conference Quarterfinals on Sunday. The women advance to the GLVC Championship Tournament semifinals for the first time since 2017 behind Elsa Nilson-Hurtig's goal at 30:39 and a stellar outing from the Saints' defense.
 
Lexi Gentry started a rainy afternoon soccer match on Sunday with a shot attempt at 3:23 that missed wide. In the 26th minute, Kennedy Reeser had a good scoring chance with a low shot but she was turned away by Kaitlin Knetzke.
 
Maryville dominated possession of the ball in the first half and saw their hard work pay off at 30:39. Forward Madison Canoy moved the ball into the offensive zone and flighted a pass over the defense to Elsa Nilson-Hurtig who powered a header past the Panthers' goalie for a 1-0 lead.
 
"We played good the whole first half," said Nilson-Hurtig. "We kind of felt like it was coming and it was a team effort. It was so much fun and it was my first goal of the season so I am really happy."
 
Maddie Dickerman and Lexi Gentry both had good opportunities in the second half but were turned away by Knetzke. Luckily for Maryville, the defense was up to the task, allowing no shots on starting goalkeeper Katie Nash the entire match.
 
Drury's Andrea Carmargo nearly tied the game in the 90th minute, however, putting on a header off the corner kick but the shot sailed over the top of the net to give the Saints a 1-0 GLVC Quarterfinals victory.
 
"We are so excited, this is a big for the program, a big win for this team." Said Head Women's Soccer Coach Lori Chalupny. "Thought we came out with a lot of energy today. It was good to get the goal early on so we can kind of ride out the rest of the game. But we are so excited to continue the season and to be able to play for a GLVC Championship. That is something we have had our eyes on for a while so we are ready to go."
 
The win moves the Saints into a meeting with second-seeded McKendree University in the GLVC Semifinals on Friday, Nov. 4. The Bearcats will play host to the remainder of the GLVC Championship Tournament as the top seed remaining in the tournament.