After a scoreless first half, senior forward Megan Zickert scored a goal minutes into the second half, pushing St. Thomas to beat Bethel 1-0, and finishing the Tommies undefeated season Saturday at South Field.
This final game of the season, and in Division III continued the Tommie’s 21-game winning streak overall, and 29-game winning streak at South Field.
Zickert expressed support for her teammates on senior night.
“Of course there’s the sad feeling of not being able to play soccer again but more than anything, I’m just thrilled that we can end the season on such a high note,” Zickert said. “Going undefeated, having no goal shot against us in conference, so nothing but good things to say.”
The Tommies (5-0) kept Bethel (2-3) on offense for most of the game, racking up 15 shots on goal. Bethel only was able to make one shot on goal, but Bethel’s goalkeepers, first-year Izzy Smith and junior Megan Duff, saved a combined total of 13 shots.
Zickerts goal at the 51 minute mark was assisted by senior midfielder Kate Heimer.
“We were really itching for a goal,” Heimer said. “We knew our capacity and had lots of opportunities in the first half. We were super eager, and trying as hard as we could.”
Coach Sheila McGill expressed her admiration for the team’s senior class.
“This group of seniors in particular has battled so hard from their freshman year all the way through,” McGill said. “It’s been really phenomenal to see the team chemistry still be able to be there and they are creating an environment that’s a high level.”
McGill said that the team chemistry is a key part of the team’s success, and the seniors help keep that chemistry going.
“They show the other players how to be leaders so that the next year the next seniors can do the same thing,” McGill said.
The Tommies will play its inaugural season in Division I and in the Summit League next fall.
Owen Larson can be reached at lars6521@stthomas.edu.