Montgomery, Ala. - The # 3 University of Tennessee Southern Firehawks defeated the Knights of Middle Georgia State 7-3 today.

Middle Georgia State struck first in the 5th minute from Maria Garcia. UTS would answer in the 18th minute, when Keito Ido slipped one past Noemy Franco from the boot of Yuki Watari. The duo would pair up again in the 21st minute. At the half, UTS would have  a 7-4 shot advantage, and lead 2-1.

The second half both teams combined for seven goals. The Firehawks would extend their lead with Ido and Watari would team up for Ido's third goal in the 56th minute. Two minutes later Madelief Lammers would bring MGSU back to within one. In the 59th minute Ido would seal her haul form the boot of Adisa Amang. In the 60th minute Tatjana Steinau would find the net to draw the Knights back to within one again at 4-3. Mackenzie Stroebel was awarded a pk and buried it in the net in the 62nd minute. Watari would add a goal in the 72nd minute from Sara Casey, but Watari was not done, she would add a nifty goal framed up by Amang and Estelle Badoedana Ekada in the 73rd minute.

Coach Will Austin assessed the win and the path forward for the Firehawks as we head to the MSC Quarterfinals. "I'm proud of the team for a positive response to a bad loss three days ago. Middle Georgia is never and easy game, but our attacking players got the job done for us today. Keito keeps excelling as a freshman with four goals today to lead the NAIA in goals. Yuki scored one of the best goals this season. The players have done excellently to be regular season champions of the toughest conference in the country. Now it's time to rest up, work on the training pitch to get better and prepare for another difficult test on Friday in the quarterfinal. Conference tournament time is always exciting and we know as the #1 seed we must be ready for everyone's best effort."

NEXT UP

The Firehawks will host the winner of the MSC opening round game to be played on Monday featuring #8 seed Bethel and #9 seed Shawnee State. The quarterfinal matchup is slated to begin at 4pm on November 5th. 

Earlier this season UTS defeated Bethel 6-0 and Shawnee State 4-0.