Box Score COSTA MESA, Calif. – Despite giving up the first goal of the match, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (Ariz.) women's soccer rallied to score four goals in route to their NAIA Women's Soccer Championship Opening Round victory over Mount Vernon Nazarene University.
As play started, you could tell that the Eagles were in control of the match as they dominated possession. But things can change in an instant and they did. In the 20th minute, MVNU's Alexa Skal broke the tie and got the Cougars the lead.
ERAU responded with constant pressure and eventually the Cougars back line broke. ERAU's leading goal scorer, Sierra Vicente (SO/Las Vegas, Nev.) evened things up after Riley Martinson (JR/Deer Park, Wash.) slid a low cross to a streaking Vicente on the back post. The score remained locked at one until the half ended.
The floodgates opened in the second half as ERAU's offense came alive! In just the 49th minute, the Eagles took the lead. Lauren Foster (FR/Chino Valley, Ariz.) benefitted from a terrific cross by Vicente, who beat the keeper to the upper corner.
Almost four minutes later Parker Lee (SR/Kennewick, Wash.) put the match to rest off Ally Leara (SR/Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.)'s corner kick. ERAU held on to the ball for the remainder of the half and their defense held on. The 82nd saw the final goal scored by Haley Matthews (FR/Phoenix, Ariz.), the first of her career.
For the second consecutive year the Eagles have found themselves in a match against a Golden State Athletic Conference foe with a spot in Alabama on the line. Last year the Eagles narrowly escaped Hope International with a 3-2 overtime victory and hope things will go a little smoother this time around.
ERAU will take on Vanguard University tomorrow at 1:00 pm MST with a chance to head to Orange Beach on the line.
