Final Score: No. 3 Keiser Seahawks 4, No. 7 Embry-Riddle Eagles 3
Records: No. 3 Keiser (19-3-1), No. 7 Embry-Riddle (20-1-3)
Location: Ashton Brosnaham Complex, Pensacola, Fla.
No. 3 Keiser women's soccer are headed to the NAIA National Championship after defeating No. 7 Embry-Riddle (Ariz.) 4-3 in a thrilling semifinal at the Ashton Brosnaham Complex in Pensacola, Fla. on Saturday night. Two goals from Lauren Riley led the effort for the Seahawks along with goals from Luisa Fontes and Maria Vilhena.
Keiser struck first when Fontes scored in the 7th minute, slotting home an unassisted goal after a deflection off a defender found her in space. The Eagles responded quickly as Jamie Black equalized in the 14th minute, finishing a cross from Jamie Brandon who found her inside the right post. Just before halftime, Molly Newlin gave Embry-Riddle a 2-1 lead with a spectacular strike from 30 yards out, sending the teams into the break with the Eagles holding the advantage.
The second half belonged to the Seahawks. Riley sparked the comeback in the 69th minute, firing a shot from just outside the box on the top right side to level the match at 2-2. Just 86 seconds later, Vilhena put Keiser ahead 3-2 with an absolute blast from outside the box to give the Seahawks the lead. Riley wasn't finished, as in the 72nd minute, she struck again from just outside the box to extend Keiser's lead to 4-2, completing her brace and giving the Seahawks breathing room.
Embry-Riddle refused to go quietly. Brandon pulled one back in the 85th minute with a header inside the six-yard box off a cross, setting up a tense final five minutes. The Eagles pressed hard for an equalizer, but Keiser's defense held on to secure the win.
The Seahawks now advance to the NAIA National Championship which is set for a noon start from the Ashton Brosnaham Complex in Pensacola, Fla.
- Keiser moves to 19-3-1 with the win
- The Seahawks are now 2-0 all-time against Embry-Riddle
- Keiser advances to their fifth NAIA National Championship game in eight years
- Riley led the Seahawks with two goals, bringing her season total to 19
- Haley Miller recorded two assists in the victory
- Vilhena's goal was her 13th of the season
- Fontes opened the scoring with her sixth goal of the campaign
- Mio Tanaka made three saves in the contest
- Keiser outshot Embry-Riddle 14-9 in the match
- The Seahawks held a 7-6 advantage in shots on goal
- Keiser earned four corner kicks to Embry-Riddle's three
The Seahawks now advance to the NAIA National Championship which is set for a noon start from the Ashton Brosnaham Complex in Pensacola, Fla.
Get the latest information on the team by following keiserwomenssoccer on Instagram and Keiser_WSoccer on Twitter.
General athletic news can be found at KUSeahawks on Facebook, kuseahawks on Instagram, and kuseahawks on Twitter.
