CLAREMORE – Northeastern State had three opportunities in the final six minutes but couldn't quite overcome a Rogers State first half tally in a 1-0 GAC/MIAA Championship match setback Friday.
 
The RiverHawks played for the conference crown for the first time since 2014 and played as the No. 3 seed. The Hillcats led the conference much of the season and proved the preseason coaches' poll correct.
 
In the 35th minute, RSU slipped one over NSU's keeper, Niklas Kirhoff, on a lucky bounce for the lone goal of the game. Kirhoff made five saves in net which was the most of his spring and played the full-time.
 
In the 84th minute, Jack Barrier had a good angle on net from 20 yards out but missed wide right.
 
The RiverHawks played until the final horn and James Doyle put a header off the center of the crossbar in the final minute of play.
 
Kirhoff was in front of the net on a corner and got a shot with just 14 ticks remaining that was saved.
 
Northeastern State was outshot 12-7 and only had two shots on-goal for the match. RSU also outpaced NSU with a 7-3 advantage on corner kicks.
 
The NSU season comes to a close with a 5-3-0 record in the Great American Conference. Rogers State took both games in Claremore this spring and finish with 6-0-2 record.