Senior Angie Abel hoped that the second time facing Asbury University in the Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (KIAC) Tournament would be the charm, but the 3-2 semifinal loss marked the end of her Point Park women’s soccer career.

“The only word that comes to mind is heartbreaking,” Abel said. “It was another one goal loss. It felt like last year, but a round earlier. We had to get the job done and we fell short once again.”

Point Park scored first on a goal from Megan Kuntz in the 19th minute, which was her fourth overall and second against Asbury. Asbury then responded with a goal in the 34th minute and added two more in the 62nd and 67th minutes.

“We looked like we ran out of gas at times and allowed some one-on-one chances with our keeper,” said coach Maggie Kuhn. “We didn’t defend like we needed to. That’s the game we needed to control what we could control and we didn’t as well as they did.”

With 26 seconds remaining in the game, Audra Lewis scored her 10th goal for Point Park, however time ran out on the Pioneers.

“It was probably one of the hardest losses to take since I’ve come to Point Park,” Kuhn said. “I really wanted a fairy tale ending for our seniors and girls.” 

The loss means that the Pioneers’ season ends with a 10-9 overall record and a tie for most wins in program history. The defeat also signifies the end for Abel and 11 other seniors.

“We have been told since our freshmen year that we would be the group that changes the program,” Abel said. “I hope I showed the girls to never give up, [to] play with everything you have and leave it all out on the field. As a senior class, I think we showed that hard work does pay off, that no matter what you are facing you have to give everything you can. 

Now, Point Park will look to build for the future.

“We have a strong group coming back, so it is an expectation that we get back to where we ended this year and compete for a conference championship,” Kuhn said. “I believe we have the quality, and if we are able to add impact players in the areas where we are losing seniors, I don’t think that is an unrealistic expectation.”

Abel shared Kuhn’s optimism for the future, even though she won’t be a part of it.

“The program will continue to become better and more competitive, but to be able to be a part of the beginning is special,” Abel said.