CLEVELAND, Ga. — A woman For the second time in the last three seasons CIU women's soccer came up just short of reaching the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) title game with a 3-1 loss to top-seeded Truett McConnell on Tuesday night.

The Rams (13-5-1, 9-3-1 AAC) showed determination against one of the top-ranked teams in the country, with senior forward Lohrane Boaventura scoring CIU's lone goal in the 72nd minute on a penalty kick. Her goal briefly narrowed the margin to 2–1 before Truett McConnell answered less than a minute later.

Despite the loss, CIU goalkeeper Hailey Resetar delivered an impressive performance in goal, recording eight saves on 11 shots on target. The Rams generated six total shots—three on goal—with Boaventura and Callie Rowe leading the attack.

Defensively, Aubrey Taylor, Chloe Battaglia, Sydney Thoman, and Marisa Dill anchored the back line, helping to contain a relentless offensive push from Truett McConnell that included nine corner kicks. 

The loss caps what has been an historic conference and postseason campaign for the Rams whose 13 wins ties the most total wins in a season in program history. CIU awaits the announcement of the time and dates of the upcoming NCCAA South Region Tournament.