HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – For the first time since 2019, Montevallo women's soccer advanced to the Gulf South Conference Championship game after defeating eighth-seeded West Alabama, 3-2, at John Hunt Park on Thursday evening.
Montevallo jumped out to an early lead inside the game's first ten minutes with an
Angelina Rivas assisted by
Marica Miljanovic at the 9:07 mark.
The Falcons looked to add its second goal in the 29
th minute with a shot on frame from freshman
Lainey Farabaugh but, her shot was denied by the West Alabama keeper. Moments later, West Alabama found its equalizer in the 33
rd minute sending the game into the half in a 1-1 draw.
Out of the half, Montevallo took a pair of shots that missed the mark before West Alabama took the lead in the 57
th minute.
The Falcons bounced back quickly after freshman
Morgan Goehring scored an unassisted goal with 28 minutes left on the clock.
With the game still knotted at 2-2,
Kaeri Ward found what would eventually be the game winner in the 71
st minute, lifting the Falcons to a 3-2 advantage.
The final 19 minutes saw the Falcons control possession of the ball, sending the Falcons to its first GSC Championship game appearance since 2019.
GAME INFORMATION
Score: Montevallo 3 | West Alabama 2
Records: Montevallo 12-4-3 (7-3-3 GSC) | West Alabama 7-9-2 (6-6-1 GSC)
Location: John Hunt Park | Huntsville, Ala.
HOW IT HAPPENED
10' | Rivas and Miljanovic break through the UWA backline to give Montevallo a 1-0 lead off the food of Rivas.
33' | West Alabama finds it first half equalizer.
57' | UWA takes a 2-1 lead with its second goal of the night.
63' | Goehring brings the Falcons back level with her second goal of the season.
71' | Ward's team-leading fifth goal of the year gives Montevallo the 3-2 victory.
GAME NOTES
- Both sides took a total of eight shots on the night with Montevallo taking a 4-2 advantage in shots on goal.
- The Falcons won five corners while West Alabama took just three.
- Each squad was issued one yellow card late in the second half.
- Montevallo enters the GSC Championship for the first time since 2019.
- For the second season in a row, Montevallo women's soccer eclipsed the 12-win mark.
UP NEXT: Montevallo awaits the winner of Lee and Mississippi College for the 2023 GSC Championship on Saturday, Nov. 11 at 12 p.m.