VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (Nov. 11, 2022) – The stage was set for Florida National’s toughest test to date, taking on the number one seed in the USCAA Division I Women’s Soccer Championship in the University of Maine at Fort Kent. This semifinal match-up was tightly-contested and saw the Bengals escape with a 1-0 victory to advance to the finals. FNU came into Virginia Beach, Va. with a 4-5-1 record while the Bengals were a steady 7-3-3 topping all USCAA schools to earn the coveted first-place seed in the tournament. With this loss, FNU drops to 4-6-1 on the year and will play in the third-place game on November 12 at 10 a.m.
The first half saw both teams take three shots for the period, as attack opportunities were sparse. Both teams did a relatively good job of playing the middle of the field but just past the 32-minute mark, the Bengals breakthrough for their first and only goal of the contest. Chelsea Thornburgh on a cross from Sophia Noe connected with the back of the net and past the hands of FNU goalkeeper Vanessa Osorio.
The Conquistadors had two solid looks on goal from forwards Casia Kennedy and Delmis Reyes Amaya that were wisely handled by Me.-Fort Kent goalie Isabel Kiledjian. Me.-Fort Kent’s Julia Audunsdottir had a promising shot toward the net that was confidently taken into the hands of Osorio as the first half came to a close.
Me.-Fort Kent continued to pressure the Conquistadors’ defense, recording 10 shots in the period, while FNU completed four. FNU also began fouling excessively picking up 10 fouls in the period as Tyana Mack Simon and Ariana Ulloa both picked up yellow cards in the half.
Bethania Pires da Cruz had a shot go wide of the goal as this was FNU’s final shot for the match. Mack Simon’s second yellow card came in the 83-minute and ended her play for the tournament. FNU attempted three corners to the Bengals’ five.
Up Next: Florida National faces the University of Mississippi for Women tomorrow at 10 a.m. in the third-place match of the USCAA Division I Women’s Soccer Championship.
