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Senior Erin Spranger’s two-goal effort fell short as St. Thomas lost to Concordia-Moorhead 3-2 on St. Thomas’ south field Tuesday.

St. Thomas saw its bid to defend the conference title end as Concordia-Moorhead, 9-0-1 in the MIAC, officially locked up the championship.

“They were better than we were today,” Sprangers said.

Concordia-Moorhead jumped out to a 2-0 lead before Sprangers was able to get the Tommies on the board in the 61st minute. She scored again in the 86th minute to bring St. Thomas to within a goal with Concordia up 3-2. But St. Thomas couldn’t finish off the late rally. Sophomore Emily Burgmeier and junior Lexie Fisher assisted Spranger’s goals.

“Emily [Burgmeier] came off the bench and did amazing,” Sprangers said.

St. Thomas, 7-2-1 in the MIAC, has clinched a playoff berth into the postseason, and finishes its regular season play at Oct. 31 at St. Mary’s.

“We’re concentrating now on St. Mary’s, we need a solid win,” Sprangers said. “Concordia; we hope to play them again.”

Jordan Osterman can be reached at jrosterman@stthomas.edu