BOXSCORE
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – A single goal, late in the second half, was all that was needed to decide The Sun Conference women's soccer tournament title match between fifth-ranked and top seed Embry-Riddle (14-4-1) and the No. 2 seed, 11th-ranked St. Thomas. (16-1-1) The goal, scored by Co-Sun Conference Player of the Year Sara Mira, gave St. Thomas a 1-0 win and the Bobcats' first conference tournament title.
The game started under sloppy conditions as the rain that had threatened the area for most of the day finally made its way to the ERAU Soccer Stadium shortly after kick-off. Each side battled the elements and each other in an effort to establish possession and create chances to score.
The first shot of the game was a 30-yard attempt from the league's leading scorer Melony Poviones that sailed high of the goal. That long-range shot characterized much of the Bobcats' attempts in the first frame, but ERAU goalkeeper
Olivia Lynch and the Eagle defense were able to turn those attempts back and keep the Bobcats off the board.
On the other side of the ball, the Eagles looked to release senior first-team All-Conference selection
Valerie Obita, but while her pace allowed her to get in behind the Bobcat defense and, in some cases, created difficulties for the Bobcats in front of the goal, the Eagles were unable to capitalize.
In the second half, the rain eased, but the intensity on the field did not. The Eagles had an offensive edge to start the half, creating chances that wouldn't show up on the stat sheet. However, the Bobcat defense, led by Ariana Lorenzo came up with strong plays, including a sliding Lorenzo save that prevented
Martine Olsen's attempt for finding its mark.
As the half progressed, it became apparent that a lone goal would decide the match. That goal came in the 81st minute. Ana Parra played a ball from the midfield out to Monica Lozano on the right side, who lifted a ball high into the air toward the Eagles' 18-yard box. Parra ran downfield to meet Lozano's ball with a first-touch header to Mira, who took advantage of Lynch coming off her line, chipping the ERAU goalkeeper to score the game-winner.
"I want to congratulate Michelle [Smith] and St Thomas on the win," ERAU Head Coach
Samantha Bohon said following the match. "We knew the game would be competitive and felt ready for it. I thought our game plan was right on and wouldn't really change much. We created some really dangerous chances but couldn't put it in the net. Their goalkeeper had some big-time saves but we have to finish better. Now we have to leave it in the hands of an at-large bid and that's not what we wanted. But, again, it's a credit to St Thomas for getting the result."
With the win, the Bobcats have secured a spot in the 2013 NAIA Women's Soccer National Championship, which begins with Opening Round Play on Nov. 23. The Eagles await the results of the final Modified Ratings Percentage Index, which determines which team will receive at-large bids to the national tournament. The MRPI will be released by the NAIA on Sunday.
