LAKELAND, Fla.—Southeastern is one of just 10 teams remaining in the 2020 NAIA Women's Soccer National Championship after winning the Lakeland Opening Round with a 2-0 win over Reinhardt.
The Fire (17-1-1) controlled possession throughout and outshot Reinhardt 30-3 and on target, the advantage was 12-1. Additionally, the Fire had 15 corner kicks to just one by the Eagles (16-2).
"There are times when you have a game like that and you are dominating and you get frustrated and it didn't happen," said coach
Alan Berrios. "We stayed the course and that's what I'm proud of."
Junior Gabriella Labrador dribbled into the attacking third in the 22
nd minute and launched a shot from 35 yards out that snuck just under the crossbar and just over the hand of Reinhardt keeper Caroline Johnson to put the Fire up 1-0.
"I saw the space and kept dribbling and figured it was worth a try," said Labrador. "I'm used to taking a lot of long balls, free kicks and corner kicks so I am kind of used to hitting that long ball."
Johnson and the rest of the Eagle defense kept the deficit at one all the way until the 84
th minute of the game. On four occasions, Reinhardt defenders were in the right place to block shots that were headed to the back of the net. Johnson added 10 saves.
"They put a wall up," said Berrios of the Reinhardt defense. "If the keeper got beat there was a defender there, it was unbelievable."
Mashell Rodriguez was tripped in the box during a shot attempt, giving the Fire a penalty kick with 6:05 remaining.
Aisha Solorzano sent it into the back of the net to push the advantage to two.
Holly Eddins made one save in helping the Fire shutout their opponent for the 12
th time this season.
"We worked together, communicated and just stay connected," said Labrador of the SEU defense. "We relied on each other and our abilities."
The Fire will face either Spring Arbor or Eastern Oregon on Thursday, April 29
th at 5 p.m. Central in the national quarterfinal.
