LYNCHBURG, Va. – LYNCHBURG, Va. – Eighth-seeded Missouri State (7-9-4) fell 3-0 to second-seeded Liberty (14-3-4) in the Conference USA Championship final on Friday afternoon at Osborne Stadium. The result concludes a memorable postseason run for the Bears, who reached their third conference championship match in the last four seasons and their first as members of CUSA.

Liberty came out firing and grabbed the lead early, as Lauren Flax bent a shot into the right side netting in the fourth minute to put the Flames ahead, 1-0. Flax struck again in the 23rd minute, capitalizing on a defensive miscue to double Liberty's advantage. The Flames added a third just seconds into the second half, when Ivy Garner converted a penalty kick in the 46th minute to make it 3-0.

The Bears struggled to create consistent attacking chances against Liberty's aggressive press, being held without a shot in the first half. Riley Smith tallied Missouri State's lone shot on goal in the 82nd minute, while goalkeeper Ella Becker recorded three saves.

Despite the defeat, the match capped another strong postseason showing for a resilient Bears squad that thrived away from home. Missouri State finished with a 7-2-3 record outside of Springfield, including two neutral-site wins during the CUSA Tournament that carried it to the title game.

The championship marked the final appearance for several standout Bears who have left a lasting legacy on the program. First-team All-CUSA selection Julia Kristensen capped her storied career ranked third in program history in both points (49) and assists (21), cementing her place among Missouri State's all-time greats. Seniors Riley Smith, Maddie Schneiderhahn and Abby Hansen also took the field for the final time, with Schneiderhahn and Hansen earning second-team All-Conference honors to close out their outstanding careers in maroon and white.

"Heartfelt thanks to the community for all their support this season," said head coach Kirk Nelson. "Very proud of the team coming together at the right moment and getting into the championship match! We showed that we belong in the new conference. Big thank you to our seniors and the strong legacy they have built. We can't wait for next season!"

After an unforgettable postseason run, three Missouri State standouts, Ella Becker, Jane Hansen, and Ellie Neath, have been named to the 2025 CUSA Championship All-Tournament Team, the league announced Friday afternoon.

The trio played key roles in propelling the eighth-seeded Bears on a remarkable journey to the championship match, marking the program's deepest postseason run in its Division I era.

Senior goalkeeper Ella Becker was a steady presence in net throughout the tournament, posting 11 total saves across three matches. She opened play with a stellar performance in Missouri State's 2–0 shutout of top-seeded Western Kentucky, before adding four more saves in a gritty 2–1 semifinal win over Middle Tennessee. Becker's composure and leadership anchored the Bears' defensive unit and helped Missouri State hold opponents scoreless in four of six tournament halves.

Sophomore midfielder Jane Hansen was a stabilizing force in the middle of the pitch, playing every minute of all three postseason contests. Her ability to disrupt opposing attacks was critical to the Bears' defensive strength, as Missouri State contained two of the conference's top-scoring offenses on their way to the title match.

Freshman Ellie Neath made an instant impact in her first conference tournament appearance, scoring in back-to-back matches to spark the Bears' historic run. She netted the opening goal in the quarterfinal victory over WKU and followed with the game-winner in the semifinal against Middle Tennessee, quickly establishing herself as one of the league's brightest young talents.

The Bears' inaugural season in Conference USA showcased the program's trademark defensive toughness and postseason pedigree, setting a strong foundation for the years ahead.