Sixth-Seeded Southeastern Shuts Out Eleventh-Seeded John Brown to Advance to Final 8
ORANGE BEACH, Ala.- For the second consecutive season, the Southeastern University women’s soccer team is heading to the NAIA Women’s Soccer National Championship Quarterfinals. The sixth-seeded Fire defeated the eleventh-seeded John Brown University Golden Eagles 3-0 to become one of the eight remaining teams in the national tournament.
“Credit to John Brown, they fought to the very end. I’m proud of our girls for fighting through their pressure and coming out with the result,” shared head coach Randy Belli.
Junior forward Uchenna Kanu made history on the pitch. Her two goals on the night pushed her season total to 54, a new NAIA single-season goals scored record.
The Golden Eagles pressed the Fire hard out of the gate, holding SEU without a shot throughout the first 19 minutes of play.
Both teams remained scoreless at the half. The Fire held an advantage of one in shots (5-4) and shots on goal (3-2).
It only took 2:33 for SEU to break down the JBU pressure in the second half. Graduate forward Yulie Lopez rocketed her own rebounded shot into the back of the net to put the Fire ahead 1-0. It was Lopez’ sixth score of the season.
Kanu scored her first goal in the 59th minute off the dish from senior defender Isamar Duran.
The Abia, Nigeria native etched her name into the NAIA record books in the 71st minute when she slotted a ball from Lopez far post to give Southeastern the three-goal advantage over John Brown.
“I’m just excited to share this moment with my teammates. Without their support on and off the field I would not be here,” commented Kanu.
The win tied the single-season program record for wins at 19.
The Fire face the Midland University Warriors from the Great Plains Athletic Conference tomorrow in the quarterfinals. The Warriors knocked off third-seeded Martin Methodist in penalty kicks earlier tonight.
Be sure to follow @SEUFireWSoccer on Twitter for all of the latest updates on the Fire from Orange Beach!