Box Score LAKELAND, Fla. – The No. 10 Southeastern University women's soccer team is Sun Conference Tournament Final bound. The second-seeded Fire gritted out a 2-1 win over the third-seeded (RV) St. Thomas University Bobcats on their home pitch. With the victory, SEU clinches its second consecutive appearance in the TSC Final.
The Fire established control of possession early on in the contest, executing build up play that led to SEU outshooting STU 7-0 in the first 30 minutes of play.
The SEU back line dazzled throughout a first half where the Fire were not able to finish any scoring chances. The Fire defensive effort held the Bobcats to just two shots and none on frame in the first 45 to keep the match scoreless at the half.
Southeastern exited the locker room and continued to create chances, outshooting St. Thomas 4-1 in the first 25 minutes of the second half.
The Fire finally broke through in the 71
st minute, when sophomore defender Uchenna Kanu executed a beautiful give and go to sophomore defender Konya Plummer in the box which Plummer finished far post.
Southeastern rapidly tallied another score in the 73
rd minute when senior defender Heidi Ruth delivered a remarkable pro style pass to Kanu downfield, which the Abia, Nigeria native netted far post to put the Fire up 2-0. The goal was Kanu's 39
th of the season and she now has turned in three straight games with at least one goal and an assist.
The Bobcats responded in the 82
nd minute with a deflected goal off a penalty kick to cut the deficit to 2-1.
The Fire locked down defensively in the final eight minutes, not allowing STU to register a shot on frame to preserve the win.
"This was a tremendous performance from the team today. It was great to see them battle like that and get the result," shared Head Coach
Randy Belli.
Southeastern now awaits a Sun Conference Tournament Final rematch from last season versus top-seeded Keiser University. The Fire travel to West Palm Beach to face the Seahawks on Friday. Game time is set for 11:00 a.m. with an automatic berth in the NAIA National Tournament at stake.
