EVANS, Ga. – No. 3 (United Soccer Coaches D2 Top 25) Flagler College edged Columbus State University 1-0 in a Peach Belt Conference Tournament semifinal match on a rainy and cold Friday at Blanchard Woods Park.
Flagler (18-0-1), the top seed in the tournament, will now await the winner of the next match between No. 6 seed Clayton State University and No. 2 seed the University of North Georgia. The championship match will be played Sunday (Nov. 17) at noon with the winner earing the league's automatic berth to the NCAA Division II Tournament.
"Today was a game that required us to adapt to the conditions and find a way to win," said head coach
Ashley Martin. "The squad showed incredible determination and quality. They fully deserved the win."
The only scoring in the match came in the 13
th minute.
Chloe Byrne served a ball from the left side to the back post where
Annie Habeeb tucked the ball into the back of the net.
Sarah-Lisa Dubel turned in her eighth clean sheet of the season, which ties a school record. She had eight shutouts last year and Hope McArthur also had eight in 2007. Bria Rancho recorded seven saves for the Lady Cougars.
Flagler out-shot Columbus State 18-16 while both teams had eight shots on goal. The Lady Cougars had a decided advantage in corner kicks, 11-4.
NOTES: Flagler will play in its first PBC Tournament championship match…The loss snaps Columbus State's run of five consecutive conference tournament final appearances, four of which were wins including last year (by a shootout).
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