COLUMBUS, Ga. — Déjà vu.
Now, make it back-to-back Sundays with wins over top-seeded Columbus State University as this 4-1 win sends fourth-seeded Flagler College to the NCAA Southeast Region Final for the second time in program history. The win now gives Flagler 11 straight wins and its second straight over rival CSU.
It will be the Saints' second straight appearance in the region final with a matchup against seventh-seeded Lenoir-Rhyne University, who alike Flagler defeated the top-seeded squad to find itself in the region title game, waiting. The pair of southeast region opponents will play Friday, Dec. 3 at 10 a.m. The location will be announced soon.
In the first 45 seconds, the Saints (17-2-1) let everyone know they came in with one thought in mind. The set piece has been so efficient for 18th-ranked Flagler this season, and it continued with an opportunity on the opening attack that
Andrea Fernandez sent from the corner and into the box perfectly for
Sara Carr's header. The score was Carr's third goal of the season while it was Fernandez's 14th assist.
Seventh-ranked Columbus State (19-3-1) responded in the 39th minute with a set-piece goal from Vanessa Aviles — with the corner kick coming from Maria Kilset — to knot things before half. The Saints then did what they have through the postseason thus far, scoring in the second half and shutting down the opponent.
First, it was
Annie Habeeb netting the equalizer on a penalty kick in the 55th minute that proved to be her second consecutive game-winning goal, plus 10th overall. A minute later, Fernandez lifted a shot into the left corner — via
Josefine Nilsen — for her 17th goal and the 3-1 Flagler lead.
"Scoring a goal from our first attack gave us a great foundation, but we knew Columbus would come right back at us, and they did," Flagler head coach
Ashley Martin said. "But our second half performance, was utter class. We scored some great goals and managed the game well."
Five minutes later, it was Fernandez on the passing end for her 15th assist as she found Nilsen all alone, sprinting past the Cougar defenders and finding paydirt for her 10th goal to cap the three-goal, second-half onslaught.
Meanwhile, Flagler goalkeeper
Madison North shut down the Cougars on 11 shots faced (four on goal) and defended 11 corner kicks, with seven coming in the final 45 minutes. The Saints edged CSU in shots (13-to-11) and seven being on goal, with the four goals sending the Saints into the NCAA Southeast Region final with ease.
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