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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Topeka, Kan.. -- Washburn's Jenna Lawless scored in the 63rd minute to break a 1-1 tie and the 14th ranked Washburn Lady Blues defeated the 21st ranked Missouri Southern Lions, 2-1 to claim their first MIAA Title. Washburn (15-1-4, 10-1-3 MIAA) forward Jessica Mainz stroked her league-leading 12th goal in the 38th minute to give the Lady Blues an early 1-0 lead. Southern (11-4-4, 9-2-3 MIAA) was out shot 14-5, including 5-1 in shots on goal, but made its one on goal count when after a Washburn foul, Jessica Buhman (Olathe, Kan.) took a 30-yard direct kick and hooked it into the left side of the goal to tie the game in the 56th minute. The goal was the second of the season for Buhman. Mainz then assisted on Lawless' second goal of the season just over the outstretched hands of Southern keeper Kaney Tyler (Topeka, Kan.) for the game-winner. Buhman, Nikki Llewellyn (O'Fallon, Mo.), Megan Walker (Grapevine, Texas), Stephanie Heines (San Antonio, Texas) and Allison Schaugnessey (St. Louis, Mo.) each had one shot in the game. Tyler made three saves. The win stops a streak of seven-straight years that Truman State had won the MIAA Championship and is the first by someone other than Truman. Southern came into the game ranked third in the Central Region, just behind national No. 1 ranked Nebraska-Omaha and Washburn. Four make the NCAA Regionals and the poll will be announced tomorrow afternoon at 4 p.m. The Lions will find out if they have made the field and just where they will be going.
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