FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – In August, the Sunshine State Conference women's soccer coaches tabbed Embry-Riddle as the favorite to claim 2021 regular season title. On Saturday, the Eagles proved the coaches right as they topped Nova Southeastern 3-2 on the road to capture the program's first SSC regular season crown.  
 
The Eagles, who won the conference tournament in 2019, finished at 7-2-1 for 22 points in the league and improved to 9-3-2 overall with the win. 
 
"I'm so proud of this group!" ERAU Head Coach Samantha Bohon said. "This title is a reflection of work put in over the last year. When other teams in our league were able to train properly and play games last spring, we stayed committed to being productive in spite of our restrictions. It solidified our team's mentality and level of commitment. We added the newcomers this fall, and they bought in to our team's culture right away. We've had different players play important roles all season, so this truly is a team accomplishment." 
 
Nova Southeastern (7-6-1, 5-4) put pressure on the Eagle defense at the start of the game, besting the Eagles 3-1 in shots in the first 16 minutes of play, but it was the Eagles who got on the scoreboard first. 
 
At the 29:46 mark, the Eagles won the third of their five first-half corner kicks. Isabelle Navren's cross made it to Grace Foyer whose attempt was deflected over the end line for another corner kick. Navren took the kick again and this time the ball found the back of the net as Ragnheidur Gardarsdottir headed home her fourth goal of the season to put the Blue and Gold up 1-0. 
 
The Sharks went back on the offensive following the goal and three minutes after the Eagles' score, Lily Truong finished a pass from Chama Silva to make it 1-1. 
 
The Eagles had two other good chances in the latter stages in the half, including a Gardarsdottir shot that was saved by NSU goalkeeper Shannon Hearty. But with neither team able to convert on any of their ensuing opportunities, the score remained knotted at 1-1 at the half. 
 
In the 68th minute, the Eagles took the lead once again. Hattie Kettle won the ball just inside the Sharks' half of the field and passed to Allie McMandon. McMandon dribbled through three defenders before hitting a right-footed shot past Hearty to give the Blue and Gold a 2-1 lead. The goal was McMandon's first in the Eagle uniform.
 
The next two shots belonged to the Sharks, but it was the Eagles who got the game's next goal.  Gardarsdottir found Marie Myhrvold Seim inside the box and Myhrvold Seim beat her defender before hitting a low shot with the outside of her right foot off the far post to extend the Eagle advantage to 3-1. 
 
The Sharks pulled within one when Silva connected on a free kick from just outside the box with 5:32 left in regulation, but that was the last goal the Eagles would allow as they effectively managed the remainder of the contest to secure the victory. 
 
"Tonight's game was quality! I'm not sure I've ever prayed for my nerves to calm down more than i did for the last 20 minutes of the game. James and his team have a lot of talented players and really made us dig deep to get a result. I was ecstatic to see both Allie and Marie score tonight as they were long overdue! It's a fantastic feeling to finish the regular season with four straight wins and this championship. We will fully enjoy this win and the much-needed time off." 
 
As regular season champions, the Eagles draw the No. 1 seed in the six-team SSC tournament and will get a bye in the first round before hosting the winner of the game between the fourth and fifth seeds on Nov. 11. 
 
The Embry-Riddle women's soccer season is presented by Radiology Associates.