LAKELAND, Fla.- For the third-straight season, the Southeastern University women's soccer team is set to host an NAIA Opening Round. The Fire were named the No. 6 National Seed in the NAIA National Championship Tournament. Under the new three-team Opening Round format, SEU welcomes both the Tennessee Wesleyan University Bulldogs and the University of the Cumberlands Patriots to the SEU Soccer Complex this weekend. Tennessee Wesleyan and Cumberlands will square off Friday evening at 7:00 p.m. with the Fire taking on the winner on Saturday at the same time slot for a spot at the Final Site in Orange Beach, Alabama.
GAMES:
NAIA Opening Round, SEU Soccer Complex, Lakeland, Fla.
Friday, 7:00 p.m., University of the Cumberlands Patriots (14-3-1) vs. Tennessee Wesleyan University Bulldogs (17-3)
Saturday, 7:00 p.m. Southeastern (16-4) vs. Winner of Cumberlands/Tennessee Wesleyan
COVERAGE:
WATCH ($9.95 per Game)
LIVE STATS
FIRE FOCUS:
- This marks the third all-time appearance in the NAIA National Tournament for SEU.
- Southeastern is 5-2 all-time in the national tournament.
- The Fire rank third in the NAIA in Goals Per Game (4.75) and second in the country in Assists Per Game (4.7).
- Senior forward Uchenna Kanu looks to conclude an illustrious four-year career with Southeastern via a lengthy run in the NAIA postseason. Kanu leads the team in goals (38) and assists (18), ranking third in the NAIA in Goals Scored and sixth in Total Assists.
- Kanu has registered six hat tricks this season and leads the NAIA in Game-Winning Goals at 11.
- Senior midfielder Bania Duran has netted five goals and notched four assists over the last four games the Fire have played. Duran has totaled 17 goals and seven assists on the year.
- SEU has outscored opponents 8-0 all-time in the NAIA Opening Round.
FIRE FIRST:
- This will mark the first time in program history Southeastern has played either Tennessee Wesleyan or Cumberlands.
THE BULLDOGS:
- Tennessee Wesleyan is making its fifth NAIA National Tournament appearance after finishing as Appalachian Athletic Conference Regular Season Runners-Up.
- TWC is 2-4 all-time in the national tournament, with both of their wins coming in 2017, when the Bulldogs defeated Keiser 2-1 in the Opening Round and knocked off The Master's University at Final Site 3-0 to advance to the NAIA Quarterfinals.
- This season, the Bulldogs rank 22nd in the NAIA in Total Shutouts (10) and 32nd in Goals Per Game (2.95).
- Two of Tennessee Wesleyan's three losses this season came to Truett McConnell, whom SEU defeated on the road 6-1 earlier this season.
- Offensively, the Bulldogs are led by true freshman midfielder Chloe Roots, who leads the team in goals (14) and assists (10). The Kempsey, Australia native saw a 13-match point streak snapped in the AAC Tournament Final against Truett McConnell.
- Senior goalkeeper Kelly Morine has only allowed three goals scored over her last 540 minutes in goal.
THE PATRIOTS:
- Cumberlands is making its first ever appearance in the NAIA National Tournament after receiving an at-large bid from the Mid-South Conference.
- The Patriots were MSC Regular Season and Tournament Runners-Up after falling to Lindsey Wilson 2-1 in double overtime in the MSC Tournament Final.
- UC is 2-3-1 this season against NAIA Top-25 opponents.
- Although five different players have scored between 5-10 goals this season for the Patriots, true freshman midfielder Naira Lopez leads the team with 10 goals scored. The Barcelona, Spain native has scored two goals and recorded three assists over her last three games played.
- Junior attacking midfielder Shara Randez has netted seven goals this season and is tied with freshman defensive midfielder Ainhoa Camara for the team lead in assists with eight.
- Sophomore goalkeeper Jacquelyn Seymour has only allowed 10 goals in 1,599 minutes logged in goal this season, posting a .846 save percentage and five clean sheets.
TALE OF THE TAPE:
SEU
Goals per Game: 4.8
Shots per Game: 20.9
Shots on Goal per Game: 11
Shutouts: 6
Individual Goals Leader:
Uchenna Kanu (38)
Individual Assists Leader:
Uchenna Kanu (17)
Individual Saves Leader:
Holly Eddins (65)
TWU
Goals per Game: 2.95
Shots per Game: 17.6
Shots on Goal per Game: 10.2
Shutouts: 10
Individual Goals Leader: Chloe Rootes (14)
Individual Assists Leader: Chloe Roots (10)
Individual Saves Leader: Kelly Morine (42)
UC
Goals per Game: 2.8
Shots per Game: 22.9
Shots on Goal per Game: 11.2
Shutouts: 9
Individual Goals Leader: Naira Lopez (10)
Individual Assists Leader: Two Tied (8)
Individual Saves Leader: Nicole Panis (55)
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