Survive and Advance, No. 8 Firehawks Face No. 2 Knights in NAIA Quarterfinal
| Final | 1 | 2 | OT | OT2 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
#16 Embry-Riddle (17-2-3) | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
|
#8 Tennessee Southern (16-4-3) | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
ORANGE BEACH, Ala. – The #8 University of Tennessee Southern women's soccer team relied on their experience to advance 4-2 in PKs after a 3-3 draw with #16 Embry-Riddle on Tuesday. The Firehawks head to the quarterfinals facing a familiar opponent #2 Marian on Thursday, December 1, at 4 pm. UTS and MU met in the quarterfinals last season with the Firehawks being the victors 4-nil.
In the opening half, UTS would net the lone goal. In the 14th minute, reining NAIA Championship MVP Yuki Watari would take an awarded penalty, but ERAU keeper Annabelle Ruckle would deflect the shot directly back to Watari. Watari(21) would find the empty netter to lift the Firehawks to lead by one at the break. UTS would lead in shots 7-6.
In the second half, both squads would combine for five goals. The Eagles would level the match in the 50th minute with a goal by Katy Hyde. However, in just 27 seconds UTS would take the lead back. Estelle Badoedana Ekada would finish a Watari pass for her 27th score of the year. ERAU would find another equalizer in the 54th minute when Hyde braced her previous goal. Heading down the stretch, both teams would add one more goal before heading to extra time. Ekada(28) would find a Jessica Glassman pass to put the defending NAIA Champs back in front 3-2 with 13 minutes to go. The Eagles tied the match once more in the 82nd minute to force overtime. The Eagles would outshoot the Firehawks 19-9 and would lead shots-on-goal 8-7.
Neither team could muster up another goal in either extra period. The match would head to PKs with Embry-Riddle shooting first. Brooke Shavers would make two incredible saves to send the Eagles back to Arizona.
Shavers recorded five saves on eight chances in the draw.
UTS held at 16-4-3 on the season, and ERAU finished the season at 17-2-3.
NEXT UP
The Firehawks advance to the NAIA Championship Quarterfinals to mamba with #2 Marian on Thursday, December 1st, at 4 p.m. MU and UTS will meet for the sixth time with a record of 2-2-1.
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