MARIETTA, Ga. --- The fifth-seeded Life University women's soccer team extended its eight game win streak into the postseason, defeating 12-seed Freed-Hardeman 5-0 in the opening round of the Mid-South Conference today at the Franklin Gateway Sports Complex.
Coming into the tournament as the five seed after finishing the season with an upset victory, Life U (11-6-0, 7-4-0 MSC) controlled the momentum in its contest against Freed-Hardeman (2-15-0, 0-11-0 MSC) from the opening whistle. The first half saw the ball seemingly never leave the Lions' side of the field, the Running Eagles taking 14 shots during the frame to only two from Freed-Hardeman. Despite the huge advantage in shots taken, Life U only got one through for a score in the first half,
Amiyah Robinson collecting a ball from
Thora Hreggvidsdottir for an easy goal and 1-0 lead in the 29th minute. Life U raced out of the half,
Jeanne Brigand scoring a goal within the first minute of play off an
Alexandra Collighan pass. Just over 30 seconds later Collighan boosted the lead to 3-0, getting fouled inside the penalty area and then converting on the penalty kick. It took 13 minutes for another Life U goal to be scored, again off the foot of Collighan, this time assisted by Brigand. The final score of the game came in its final second,
Daniela Cianchini blasting a shot outside of the goalkeeper's reach to give the game's 5-0 final.
Collighan and Brigand did a good job of playing off each other to provide three of the game's scores, Collighan scoring twice off eight shots (four on goal) and dishing out an assist, while Brigand scored once on five shots (three on goal) with an assist of her own. Robinson and Cianchini provided the other scores for the Running Eagles.
The offensive stats were lopsided in Life U's favor, the team taking 31 shots to only three from Freed-Hardeman, while also taking the only corners of the game at 7-0. The Lions held the advantage in saves recorded with 9-3. The teams were close on fouls, Life U being called on more at 8-7, while Freed-Hardeman was the only squad to be given a yellow card.
Next the women turn to the Mid-South Conference Quarterfinals, facing fourth-seeded and 18th-ranked Cumberland University on the road Friday, November 5th at 11 AM.
