DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – An early, first-half goal was all the 14th-ranked Embry-Riddle women's soccer team need to win its second Sunshine State Conference tournament title on Sunday. Just two weeks after capturing the program's first SSC regular season championship, the Eagles bested Florida Tech (10-3-5) 1-0 to win their second consecutive tournament crown in front of their home crowd at the Embry-Riddle Soccer Stadium.
The first team to sweep both regular season and tournament titles since Barry did it in 2018, the Eagles outshot the Panthers 11-9 to improve their overall record to 10-3-3 and secure an automatic bid to the 2021 NCAA II Soccer Championship.
In contrast to the previous meeting between the Eagles and the Panthers this season, it was the Eagles who struck first in Sunday's game.
Sofia Munthe Nilsson won the ball on the left side of midfield and played it forward to
Ragnheidur Gardarsdottir at the top of the 18-yard box. Gardarsdottir executed a first-touch pass to
Marie Myhrvold Seim who knocked in her fifth goal of the season to put the Eagles up 1-0 in the fifth minute.
The momentum quickly shifted in the Panthers' favor, however as they began to control more of the possession. At the 6:58 mark, Marem Ndiongue hit a shot on frame, but ERAU goalkeeper
Oona Jokinen hauled in the save to keep the Panthers off the board.
Moments later, Ndiongue threatened again. This time her shot struck the crossbar and fell to an unmarked Jordan Michaels at point blank range. Once again, Jokinen was up for the challenge and her diving save turned back Michaels' attempt at an equalizer.
The Panthers had a 6-4 edge in shots in the first half, but nothing troubled Jokinen and the Eagles took their one-goal lead into the intermission.
The Eagles had an opportunity to add to their tally at the start of the second half when the Panthers were called for handling the ball inside the box. However, the Eagles' penalty kick was just wide of the mark and the score remained at 1-0.
The Eagles had the more dangerous chances on offense in the second half, and while the Panthers enjoyed some possession, the Eagle defense stood firm keeping Florida Tech off the board for their sixth shutout of the season.
Following Sunday's game, five Eagle players were recognized for their performance in the SSC tournament. Myhrvold Seim, Jokinen, Munthe Nilsson,
Grace Foyer and
Inga Agustsdottir were named to the All-Tournament team, while
Anita Agustsdottir was named tournament MVP.
The Eagles will find out who their first opponent in regional play will be when the national championship bracket is revealed at 6 p.m. on Monday.
The 2021 Embry-Riddle women's soccer season is presented by Radiology Associates
