LEXINGTON, Ky. - The Franklin women's soccer team kicked off post-season play on Saturday (Oct. 28) night on the road against the third-seed in the 2023 Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC) tournament in the Transylvania Pioneers. 

The Grizzlies (4-10-6) fell behind the Pioneers (14-4-1) in the game's opening stretch and fought valiantly to get out of the early hole. But a back-breaking goal late in the first half plus an extra insurance marker in the second gave the host Pioneers a 3-0 win and ended Franklin's campaign. 

A third-minute goal from Meron Roach opened the scoring but the Grizzlies nearly got the equalizer less than two minutes later when Lauren Barker's shot was handled by the Pioneers' keeper. Barker, Macy Stuck and Adex Bixler all had looks at the goal late in the first half, but after Bixler's shot was saved the Pioneers turned to the counter to add their second of the night with less than three minutes left in the half. 

The final shot count was 12-8 in the Pioneers' favor with shots on target 6-5 to the home side. Barker, Bixler and Maddison Claybrooke all had two shots to pace the Griz attack. Makenna Mundy got the start in goal, making three saves.