LAKELAND, Fla. – The No. 10 Southeastern University women's soccer team has turned in a historic 2017 thus far. The Fire have set program bests in goals scored (90), assists (84), and are fresh off winning their first Sun Conference Tournament Championship in program history. Southeastern defeated top-seeded and No. 6 Keiser 4-2 in West Palm Beach to bring the championship banner back to Lakeland and clinch its first ever berth in the NAIA National Tournament. The Fire look to continue making history as they host No. 20 Georgia Gwinnett College in the Opening Round on Saturday. This marks the first time a Southeastern athletic team has hosted a National Tournament game.
GAME: No. 10 Southeastern (17-1) vs. No. 20 Georgia Gwinnett (14-3-2) Saturday 5:00 p.m.
COVERAGE: Watch/Live Stats
HOME FIRE COOKIN': The Fire enter Saturday's contest having won 22 straight games on their home pitch, with their last loss at home coming on 10/3/15 versus Johnson & Wales. During the home win streak, SEU has outscored opponents 103-10 and posted 16 shutouts. This season, Southeastern has outscored visiting teams 56-3 and outshot them on an average of 31.6-4 per contest.
THE UCHENNA KANUNDRUM: Sophomore forward Uchenna Kanu has created fits for opposing defenders all season. Kanu has netted 42 goals (individual single season program record) and registered 11 assists thus far. The Abia, Nigeria native is fresh off a Sun Conference Tournament where she netted five goals in three games, including a hat trick in the Final versus Keiser. Kanu was named The Sun Conference Player of the Year and selected to the All-TSC First Team. She has found the back of the net in all 16 games she has played in her collegiate career at the SEU Soccer Field.
MUTUAL FRIENDS: Despite both programs having never met before, the Fire and the Grizzlies share a trio of common opponents from this season. Both teams defeated Point in the regular season. SEU topped the Skyhawks 5-0 in its season opener while GGC won 2-0 on 10/4. Georgia Gwinnett fell to SCAD 1-0 in double overtime in its season opener, while Southeastern bested the Bees 6-0 at home on 10/18. The Grizzlies pushed Keiser to a 1-1 draw on 9/17, while the Fire split their pair of meetings with the Seahawks.
THE GRIZZLIES: After playing three of their first seven contests of 2017 versus ranked or receiving votes opponents, Georgia Gwinnett sat at 3-3-1. Since then, the Grizzlies have posted an 11-0-1 record. During that stretch, GGC has recorded seven shutouts and not surrendered more than two goals in a game. Georgia Gwinnett clinched a berth in the National Tournament after defeating No. 22 Jamestown 3-1 in the Association of Independent Institutions Tournament Final. This marked the first A.I.I. Tournament title in GGC program history. Leading the charge for the Grizzlies' championship run was junior forward Ana Gonzalez. The Miranda de Ebro, Spain native netted 12 of her individual single season program record 15 goals in the last eight games played. Gonzalez also leads the team in
assists with 10.
TALE OF THE TAPE:
SEU GGC
Team
G/Per Game: 5 3.47
SOG/Per Game: 12.83 13.47
GA/Per Game: 0.83 0.74
Shutouts: 9 8
Individual
Goals: Uchenna Kanu (42) Ana Gonzalez (15)
Assists: Aisha Solorzano (14) Ana Gonzalez (10)
Saves: Kaitlyn Romero (27) Sophie Hoare (49)
Both programs are seeking their first ever win in the NAIA National Tournament.
Be sure to follow @SEUFireWSoccer on Twitter for all of the latest updates.
