MELBOURNE, Fla. – The Embry-Riddle women's soccer team's 2024 season came to an end on Friday at the Rick Stottler Field on the campus of Florida Tech. The Eagles netted three goals, but that wasn't enough to secure a win as they fell to Montevallo 4-3 in the opening round of the NCAA II South Region tournament.
 
Montevallo struck first just under 10 minutes into the contest when Rilee Bradbury's long-range shot found the back of the net to put the Falcons up 1-0.
 
At the 17-minute mark, Berglind Thrastardottir had an opportunity to level the score when she collected a pass from Thea Nyberg, but her shot was saved by Emily Hounsel.
 
The Montevallo team had a 12-6 shot advantage in the first half, but Oona Jokinen's three saves helped keep the Eagles in the game and give them a chance at the equalizer that came in the 31st minute. Staying close to the Falcons' last defender Thrastardottir pounced on a miscommunication between the defender and Hounsel and slotted the ball home to tie the game at 1-1 and the score remained deadlocked at the intermission.
 
A flurry of offensive activity marked the start of the second half. Montevallo broke the tie by scoring two quick goals off corner kicks to take a 3-1 lead inside the first four minutes of the frame.
 
Less than a minute after the Falcons' third goal, the Eagles netted their first goal of the half. After the post-goal kickoff, the Eagles played out of the back to Lauryn Mateo in the midfield. Mateo got the ball out to Jessica Meno on the right wing and the freshman's cross found an unmarked Grace Foyer who headed home her ninth goal of the year to make the score 3-2.
 
In the 60th minute, the Eagles won one of their four corner kicks which was taken by Agnes Vigholm. Vigholm's cross landed in a dangerous area in front of the goal where the Eagle players worked feverishly to push the ball past Hounsel while the Falcons tried to keep the Eagles from adding to their tally. Hounsel landed on the ball after it appeared to have crossed the line, but the referee ruled that Hounsel made the save in time, giving the ball back to Montevallo.
 
With just under 20 minutes remaining, the Falcons managed to score their fourth goal. Despite the two-goal deficit the Blue & Gold continued to battle and at the 86:10 mark, Foyer scored off her own rebound to cut the Falcon lead to 4-3. The Eagles were unable to find another score in the closing minutes, however, giving Montevallo the win.
 
The Eagles' closed out the season with their fifth straight regional tournament appearance and an 8-8-3 overall record.
 
The 2024 Embry-Riddle women's soccer season was presented by Radiology Associates.