No. 6 Seed Southeastern Defeats Midland with Kanu’s Hat Trick
ORANGE BEACH, Ala. – For the first time in program history, the Southeastern University women’s soccer team is heading to the NAIA Women’s Soccer National Championship Semifinals. The sixth-seeded Fire are now one of four remaining teams in the field after taking down the Midland University Warriors 3-1 in their quarterfinal match. The win set a new single-season program record for wins at 20.
A familiar name netted all three Southeastern goals, as junior forward Uchenna Kanu posted her 11th hat trick of the season to push her NAIA-record setting season goals total to 57. Kanu now has seven goals in three NAIA postseason matches.
It was a grinding first 45 minutes of play for the Fire, as both teams were held scoreless throughout the first half.
Southeastern was able to create more chances in the first half, outshooting Midland 13-6, including 7-2 on goal. However, the Warriors’ back line did not bend.
With 45 minutes until the end of one team’s season, the Fire came out of the locker room dialed in.
“I told the girls at the half, you have 45 minutes for either our season to end or to persevere. And credit to them, they responded amazingly and played for each other and ultimately, the glory of God,” shared head coach Randy Belli.
Within the first minute of the second half, the Fire took a 2-0 lead thanks to the foot of Kanu.
The Abia Nigeria native made a pair of sliding finishes off passes from Yulie Lopez and Aisha Solorzano 30 and 56 seconds in.
A through ball from senior defender Sierra Clayton slotted in by Kanu in the 77th minute gave the Fire a 3-0 lead.
The Warriors got on the board in the 82nd minute, snapping a scoreless streak of 371 minutes SEU held against opponents.
The Fire now face a familiar foe in second-seeded William Carey University, who defeated Lindsey Wilson 1-0 to advance to the semifinal match. Game time is set for Friday at 4:00 p.m. eastern.
“I think what will help us keep pushing is to remember who we are playing for and why we are playing. We aren’t playing to glorify ourselves, but to glorify God,” remarked sophomore midfielder Kristal Pesina.
Be sure to follow @SEUFireWSoccer on Twitter for all of the latest updates on the Fire from Orange Beach!
