NEED TO KNOW:
Score: Life U 2, Tennessee Southern 1
Records: Life U, 17-1-1; Tennessee Southern, 11-6-2
MONTGOMERY, Ala. — The Life University women's soccer team punched its ticket to the SSAC Championship match with a gritty 2-1 victory over RV UT Southern Thursday afternoon. After the Firehawks drew level midway through the second half, SSAC Offensive Player of the Year Sacha Millward delivered once again, rising for a header off a feed from Lilja Björg Olafsdottir and burying the game-winner in the 89th minute to send the Running Eagles to the title match.
The opening half was a defensive battle, with Life U creating the better chances and outshooting the Firehawks 8–5, despite chances, neither side found the net before the break.
The Running Eagles wasted no time to open the second half, as Victoria Valles struck just 15 seconds in, netting her fourth goal of the season to give Life U a 1-0 advantage. Tennessee Southern later equalized in the 58th minute off a penalty kick, keeping the match tightly contested down the stretch.
Then, with under two minutes remaining, Golden Boot winner Sacha Millward buried her 26th goal of the season. The game-winning decisive header came off a Lilja Björg Olafsdottir's free kick, lifting Life U to the semifinal victory.
SSAC Freshman of the Year Elora Niederpruem tallied just one save in the victory as the stellar Life U backline held the Firehawks to just two shots on target.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
- Life U outshot Tennessee Southern 17–14 (6–2 on target).
- Goals: Valles (46'), Millward (89').
- Assist: Olafsdottir.
- Niederpruem made one save in 90 minutes of action.
TURNING POINT:
Millward's 89th-minute game-winner, set up by Lilja Björg Olafsdottir, sealed the victory and propelled the Running Eagles into the SSAC Championship match.
STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
- Sacha Millward: Game-winning goal (89') — her 26th of the year.
- Victoria Valles: Opened the scoring seconds into the second half.
- Lilja Björg Olafsdottir: Provided the assist on the winner.
- Elora Niederpruem: Anchored the defense, allowing just one goal on two shots faced.
UP NEXT:
The Running Eagles advance to the SSAC Championship Final on Saturday in Montgomery, facing William Carey in the championships for the third time in four seasons.
