Tight Contests Mark First-Round Matches in 2024 CAC Women’s Soccer Championships
Talladega College (Alabama) and the University of Jamestown (North Dakota) picked up victories by one-goal margins Saturday afternoon in a pair of competitive first-round matches of the 2024 Continental Athletic Conference Women's Soccer Championships, being hosted at Georgia Gwinnett College's Grizzly Soccer Complex.
Talladega, the No. 5 seed, scored in the final minute to post a thrilling 1-0 upset victory against No. 4 seed Spartanburg Methodist College (South Carolina). Then, No. 3 seed Jamestown edged No. 6 seed Carolina University (North Carolina) 2-1.
Talladega advances to face top seed GGC in the semifinal round on Monday, November 11, at 5 p.m. Meanwhile, Jamestown will play No. 2 seed Bellevue University (Nebraska) at 8 p.m. Monday – the third meeting between the two teams this season.
Here are recaps from Saturday's first-round matches:
Match 1: No. 5 Talladega College 1, No. 4 Spartanburg Methodist College 0
Ana Santos successfully converted a penalty kick with 28 seconds remaining to lift No. 5 seed Talladega College (Alabama) past No. 4 seed Spartanburg Methodist College (South Carolina) 1-0.
Annalisa Vincent drew a foul called inside the 18-yard box to give the Tornadoes the goal-scoring opportunity.
Both teams attempted 11 shots in the match, with six for Talladega being on goal in the victory. Four of Spartanburg Methodist's shots were on goal.
Spartanburg Methodist's Andrea Tapia put two of her three shots on goal after coming off the bench.
Talladega's Santos registered a match-high five shots, including a shot from the left endline in the 86th minute that sailed just over the crossbar.
Natalie Nedd made five saves to post the shutout for Talladega.
Meanwhile, Ava Wilson stopped four shots in goal for the Pioneers.
Match 2: No. 3 University of Jamestown 2, No. 6 Carolina University 1
University of Jamestown's Orianna Borrome scored 22 seconds after Carolina University had squared Saturday's first-round match in the 70th minute, propelling the No. 3-seeded Jimmies past the No. 6-seeded Bruins 2-1.
Carolina's Ashley Sanchez buried a shot into the back of the net from the left side of the 18-yard box after receiving a pass from Alexa Anderson. Her fourth goal of the season tied the match at 1-1.
Jamestown quickly regained the lead as Borrome scored in the 71st minute after receiving a crossing pass from Hillary Hernandez.
Carolina had a chance late in tie the match after being award a penalty kick with 21 seconds left in the match. But Sarah Walters' conversion hit the crossbar.
The Jimmies struck late in the first half on Hannah Hynek's first goal of the season. She finished in the 43rd minute from inside the six-yard box after a pass from Bella Perez.
Jamestown outshot Carolina by a 14-8 margin, with nine shots coming in the second half. Vega Canada led the victors with five shot attempts.
Sidney Smith, Sarah Walter and Sanchez each recorded two shots for the Bruins, who were making their NAIA postseason debut in Saturday's match.