SCRANTON, Pa. — The Catholic University women's soccer team fell to top-seeded Scranton in the Landmark Conference Semifinal by the slimmest of margins on Tuesday night.

Freshman goalkeeper Ava Rieger produced a staggering performance, making 14 saves to keep the contest scoreless until she was finally beaten in the first overtime period.

Rieger was tested early and often. She made nine saves in the first half, including three in the opening 15 minutes to ensure Catholic could get a foothold in the match.

After the Cardinals mustered a couple of half-chances midway through the first stanza, Scranton crafted its best chances of the contest. 

In the 31st minute, Niamh Healy raced through on goal after a perfectly-timed through ball. Rieger repelled the first effort before the rebound went directly back to the onrushing Royal. Rieger responded by denying Healy again, diving brilliantly to her left before Lauren Cerda cleared a third effort off of the goalline. Rieger made a third save in quick succession following Cerda's clearance, finally smothering the Scranton opportunity in what was a stunning sequence.

Rieger made another brave stop with four minutes remaining in the half when she dove to her left amongst on-rushing players to save Evelyn Bruggeman's driven effort.

Catholic's best chance of the contest fell to Jordan Siok in the 58th minute, when a knockdown following a free kick fell right at her feet around the penalty spot but she was only able to fire it right at Scranton goalkeeper Nicole Olson.

It was more of the same from Rieger in the second half as she made six more stops. She added one more in the first overtime period to finish with 15 in the match.

Scranton was finally able to beat the freshman in the fifth minute of overtime after good work from Teresa Haggerty on the left flank. She was able to deliver a low cross after beating two defenders that found its way to Emily Bannon at the back post for an easy tap-in.

It was a gritty performance from the entire Cardinal team to hang in the match and push the Royals, who went 7-0-0 in Landmark Conference play this season, to the absolute brink.

The backline was especially strong, with Teighan Boyle, Brienna Spano and Cerda logging the entire 110 minutes. Sophomore Sara Placide also played the entire match, putting in a great shift in midfield.

Catholic finishes the season with an impressive defensive record, only conceding five goals in eight Landmark Conference contests. Rieger made 73 saves in 14 appearances, maintaining an .802 save percentage in a brilliant freshman campaign.