NEED TO KNOW:
Score: Life U 0, William Carey 2
Records: Life U, 17-2-1; William Carey, 19-1-0
MONTGOMERY, Ala. — The Life University women's soccer team fell in the SSAC Championship contest to the Crusaders of William Carey on Saturday afternoon. Life U was in the contest the entire time before a late goal from the Crusaders sealed the game.
The Crusaders opened the contest with the first look of the game in second minute of action as Elora Niederpruem was forced to make an early save. Sacha Millward responded in the fifteen minute with the first pair of Life U shots, though the William Carey keeper made both saves.
The teams continued to fight for control in the contest midway through the half, with both teams having plenty of chances on net. Niederpruem was called into action six times in the first half while the Running Eagles forced four saves out of the Crusaders keeper. William Carey held a narrow lead in shots on goal, 8-5, after the first 45. Life U had two corner kick opportunities in the first half and a dangerous free kick opportunity, but the score line remained 0-0 at the break.
William Carey wasted no time taking the lead in the second half, scoring in the 47th minute. Trailing 1-0, Life U had a great chance to equalize in the 64th minute off a free kick, but the shot clipped the wall before it could find the back of the net.
In the 70th, the Crusaders narrowly doubled their lead. However, Lilja Olafsdottir tracked down the William Carey forward and made a brilliant slide tackle to keep the deficit at just one.
Life U continued to track down an equalizer, having multiple chances late to level the contest. Millward had a look inside the box in the 75th minute but the strike went straight at the William Carey keeper. Ana Diaz also had a great look off a corner in 80th minute but the shot went just wide.
The dagger came in the 82nd minute, when the Crusaders found the back of the net for the second time in the contest. Life U fought hard until the final whistle, but the game concluded 2-0 in favor of William Carey.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
- Life U and William Carey tied in shots on goal, 9-9.
- The Running Eagles had 10 corners to the 4 of William Carey.
TURNING POINT:
William Carey took the lead just two minutes out of the half time break.
UP NEXT:
The Running Eagles await a bid to the NAIA National Tournament.
