DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – A first half goal by senior
Krizzy Menez was all the seventh-ranked Embry-Riddle women's soccer team needed to get by SCAD Savannah in Sun Conference action on Friday evening. With the win, the Eagles improved to 12-4 overall and 7-1 in the conference, while the Bees, who are listed among the teams receiving votes in the NAIA national rankings, fall to 9-5-1 overall and 5-2-1 in league play.
The first half saw both teams struggle to control the ball. The Eagles had the better of the offense outshooting the Bees 4-0 in the first frame. The Eagles registered their first shot on frame in the ninth minute off the boot of
Janina Helwig, but SCAD goalkeeper Ciara Thomas was able to come up with the save to keep the Eagles off the board.
After three early attempts, including an
Ange Durston-Ryan shot that hit the underside of the crossbar and bounced out, the Eagles netted their first only of the night in the 39th minute.
Valerie Obita collected ball at midfied and used her strength and speed to hold off her SCAD defender and bring the ball down the right side. After completing a pass to Durston-Ryan, Obita continued her run, which allowed her to get the ball back deep in the right corner. The junior sent the ball across the face of the SCAD goal where Menez rose to head home her 10th goal of the year to give the Blue and Gold a 1-0 halftime advantage.
While the game's intensity picked up slightly in the second frame, both teams still struggled to find their offense. Thomas was able to turn back all three of the Eagles' shots on goal, while her ERAU counterpart
Lauren Gallant went virtually untested at the other end, not having to make a save. The result was a scoreless second half, which gave the Eagles the win.
The Eagles close out regular season play at 1 p.m. on Sunday when they host Sun Conference opponent South Carolina Beaufort at the Embry-Riddle Soccer Stadium.
