LAKELAND, Fla.- For the third-consecutive season, the Southeastern University women's soccer team is heading to the NAIA Final Site. The sixth-seeded Fire defeated the University of the Cumberlands Patriots 3-2 thanks to a late goal from senior midfielder
Bania Duran to win the Lakeland Bracket of the Opening Round.
"Super proud of the girls for pushing through and continuing to encourage each other till the end," shared SEU head coach
Randy Belli. "In the National Tournament no games are easy and today was no exception. They pressed us and played well but I am proud of our girls for gritting out the result."
The Fire found themselves at an early deficit, surrendering a goal to Naira Lopez in the 4
th minute.
SEU found the equalizer in the 12
th minute, as a corner kick by senior defender
Melanie Peyton deflected off a Cumberlands' defender and the goalkeeper and rattled into the back of the net for an own goal.
The Fire and the Patriots were knotted up 1-1 heading into the half. SEU held the advantage in shots 7-4.
Just 2:35 into the second half, senior forward
Uchenna Kanu put the Fire ahead of Cumberlands 2-1 after finishing a through ball
Bania Duran far post. The score was Kanu's 39
th of the season.
The Patriots had an answer in the 58
th minute when Shara Rendez tied up the contest 2-2.
As the Fire and the Patriots battled back and forth for a spot in Orange Beach in the final moments, it was
Bania Duran who provided the heroics for Southeastern. Duran buried a deflected shot off the toe of
Yulie Lopez into the back of the net in the 86
th minute to put SEU ahead 3-2 and score the game-winning goal.
"I am so happy," commented Duran. "Not for the opportunity to come out here to play for myself, but for the opportunity to play for my home, my family, my team, and God. I am incredibly blessed to be able to step out here on the field and compete for my team at nationals."
Southeastern out-shot Cumberlands 19-11 on the night, including 11-6 on-goal.
The Fire now advance to the Round of 16 in Orange Beach, Alabama, where they will take on No. 11 Seed Vanguard University on Tuesday December 3. Match time is set for 7:30 p.m. eastern.
