DANVILLE, Ky. -- Making the program's first trip to the NCAA Tournament, the Covenant women's soccer team saw its season end with a 3-1 loss at No. 13 Centre in the first round on Friday at Amend Field.

The remarkable 2021 campaign ends for Covenant as the Scots finish the year 13-6-2 overall.

Centre (16-1-2) scored three first-half goals to open up a three-goal edge. Covenant tallied a goal in the 63rd minute, but the deficit was too large to climb out of for the Scots.

Emma Riggs put the Scots on the board in the 63rd minute with her strike from above the 18-yard box. It was Riggs' seventh goal of the year, and third in the last three matches, as she collected a deflected ball at the top of the box and laced one past Centre keeper Jonelle Barron for the score.

The Scots created more chances in the second half. Covenant had four shots in the final 45 minutes, with three of those coming after Riggs' goal as the Scots attempted to mount a comeback.

Centre struck in the 13th minute to go ahead for good. The host Colonels got a score from Megan Sidaway, assisted by both Mills Mullen and Bri Tilley, to take a 1-0 lead. In the 39th minute, Bella Nelson found the back of the net to make it 2-0. In the final minute of the first half, Lizzie Klehr scored to give Centre a 3-0 lead.

Covenant keeper Lucy Sandhoff kept busy in the match as she made nine saves, including several diving saves that kept the Scots within striking distance.

Barron made two saves for the Colonels, who saw their seven-match shutout streak end on Riggs' second-half goal.

Mae Pierce had two shots for the Scots, while Kailey Burrell, Riggs, and Rachel Wall each had one.

Centre moves on to the second round and will face the winner of Emory and Wittenberg.

CONNECT WITH THE SCOTS

Be sure to follow the Scots all season long on athletics.covenant.edu and on social media at Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for up-to-date scores, news and other information.