LAKELAND, Fla.- For the sixth time in program history, Southeastern has been named one of the 16 host sites around the country for the NAIA Women's Soccer National Tournament Opening Round.
The No. 12 ranked Fire will host No. 25 Bethel University (Tenn.) on Saturday at 12 p.m. for a chance at their fifth final sight appearance and first since the 2020 season.
Southeastern received an at-large bid with an 11-5-2 overall record after falling in the Sun Conference Tournament final to No. 6 SCAD-Savannah.
The defense has been the strong point for the Fire this season, holding opponents to 1.28 goals per game and completing seven shutouts this season. In goal,
Micaela Owen holds an .804 save percentage behind 90 saves on 125 shots faced. Offensively, the Fire average 2.5 goals and 15.4 shots per game and has been led by sophomore
Madelyn Davidson. Davidson finished the regular season second in the SUN in goals with 10 while
Katie Carnes has recorded eight goals and three assists.
The Wildcats of Bethel (Tenn.) received an at-large bid into the national tournament with an 11-3-2 overall record with two of their losses coming against NAIA Top 25 opponents. Bethel currently averages 2.94 goals and 20.3 shots per game while allowing just 1.13 goals per game with eight shutouts this season. Audrey LaRue leads the Wildcat offense with 10 goals and six assists while Kalina Stanisic has recorded eight goals and five assists. Keeper Alicia Perez holds a .762 save percentage with 48 saves.
This will be the first time that the Fire and the Wildcats have met in program history.
