(CLEVELAND) – The No. 1 seed Truett McConnell University hosted No. 9 Brenau University in the Appalachian Athletic Conference Quarterfinals on Saturday, where the Lady Bears proved a top competitor as they secured the win with a score of 3-1, advancing to the semifinal round of tournament play. TMU is now sitting at an overall record of 15-2-2, while Brenau concludes their season with a record of 9-9.
PLAY-BY-PLAY
The Lady Bears dominated the entire first half, taking a total of 11 shots and allowing Brenau one single shot. Shots by Ashley Johnson and Eliska Dvorakova sparked the momentum for TMU, followed by three earned corner kicks and a header shot that just missed wide from Dvorakova. The Lady Bears continued to add pressure to the visiting team’s offense, capable of hitting the board in the 32nd minute after a ball from Dvorakova found the foot of Amayia Lukie in the box (1-0). Dvorakova immediately followed the action as she took her shot in the 36th minute to put the Lady Bears up by two at the half.
The Golden Tigers wasted no time at the start of the second half, capable of decreasing the home team’s lead to one in the 45th minute. TMU did not back down as they recorded multiple shots of their own, finding success once more in the 82nd minute when Julia Ruiz found the back of the net after a perfectly placed ball from Dvorakova. Breanu was forced to work under pressure for the remainder of regulation, ultimately resulting in a final score of 3-1 in favor of the Lady Bears.
LEADERS
Dvorakova led the way with one goal, two assists and eight shots, followed by Lukie and Ruiz who tallied one goal apiece. Kayla Boggess and Nadiia Ivanchenko individually recorded two shots, one on goal, while Johnson and Brianna Hernandez recorded two shots of their own.
UP NEXT
The Lady Bears are back in action on Tuesday, November 7 as they host the winner of No. 4 Montreat vs. No. 5 CIU, inside the TMU Soccer Complex. Game time to be announced.
